Kane Cornes faces backlash at Channel 7 over Cotchin comments

Kane Cornes recently faced significant backlash at Channel 7 following his critical comments about Trent Cotchin, who has recently joined the network as an AFL analyst. During an episode of The Howie Games Podcast, Cornes revealed that a senior executive at Channel 7 expressed that he would never work for the network again after his public critique of Cotchin's performance. This feedback reached Cornes indirectly, causing him to feel guilty about the situation, especially since the producers involved were upset by the fallout. Cornes had created a video mocking Cotchin's delivery style, which he deemed 'wooden.' He acknowledged that while Cotchin was new to the media, he believed the producers let him down by airing the video. Cornes explained that the idea to film a parody of Cotchin's video came from a brainstorming session with producers, who initially thought it would be harmless fun. However, the backlash suggests that the humor did not land as intended. In addition to the controversy surrounding Cotchin, Cornes shared insights about his career journey in AFL media. He recounted a blunt message from Collingwood boss Craig Kelly, who advised him to focus on opportunities in South Australia rather than attempting to break into the more competitive Victorian media landscape. This advice has motivated Cornes throughout his career. Ultimately, the incident highlights the challenges and sensitivities involved in sports media, particularly when it comes to criticism of fellow professionals. Cornes' experience serves as a reminder of the potential repercussions of public commentary in the industry.