AFL commentator and former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes has reiterated his recent criticism of Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, emphasizing that he is simply stating factual observations.
After the defending premiers suffered a defeat against the Gold Coast on Saturday, maintaining the Suns’ unbeaten home record in 2024, Cornes specifically highlighted Moore’s inconsistency as a point of concern.
“I believe he plays one good game out of every six,” Cornes remarked on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show. “I understand it might sound harsh, but as a leader of this football club… I see it happening too frequently. Darcy Moore disappoints me. I have to be honest about Darcy Moore, the premiership captain.”
Sports journalist Sam McClure responded to Cornes’ comments during Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night, criticizing them as highly disrespectful to a premiership captain.
“I’m just stating the facts,” he asserted.
Cornes proceeded to highlight Moore’s shortcomings this season.
“How many coaches’ votes do you think Darcy Moore has received this year?” Cornes queried McClure. “He’s received four votes. He got one vote in round seven; he had 45 last year. He’s not the player he once was.”
“I don’t speak without reason. His timing is off, as I mentioned. He doesn’t make an impact offensively.
“What about that press? That’s not the performance you expect from the captain of a premiership team, who likely earns $900,000 a year.
“These are the facts, Sam.”
Collingwood will face Essendon in round 17 at the MCG on a Friday night.