Kane Cornes warned of buyer’s remorse and questioned a champion’s weapon after two early-season performances drew scrutiny.
What is Kane Cornes worried about?
Cornes raised two distinct concerns in the wake of Opening Round action. First, he questioned whether St Kilda overpaid to recruit Sam Flanders, noting the midfielder recorded 28 disposals but only one clearance and a 61% disposal efficiency in a 12-point loss to Collingwood. Cornes asked who gets remorse, pointing to the trade cost — pick seven and a $900, 000 wage — and added blunt assessments: “Any buyer’s remorse on old Sam Flanders? There has to be buyer’s remorse. ” He also suggested Flanders believes he should be a designated kicker but “can’t hit one, ” and flagged the mismatch between possessions and genuine impact.
Second, Cornes expressed concern about Carlton captain Patrick Cripps after the Blues’ heavy Opening Round defeat. Cripps had 19 disposals and four clearances in that loss, and Cornes questioned whether the two-time Brownlow Medallist remains the destructive force he once was. He asked, “What’s his weapon now?” and offered that Cripps might not be the same game-breaker who once attracted 40-odd Brownlow votes. Cornes noted visible frustration from Cripps during the match and compared the situation to other champions whose peak ebbed with time and body issues.
What happens next?
Both storylines head quickly into decisive matchups: Flanders will be expected to lift when St Kilda faces Melbourne at the MCG, and Cripps and Carlton face Richmond at the MCG as they look to respond. Cornes’ observations frame three plausible near-term scenarios for clubs and players.
- Best case: Flanders converts big-possession games into meaningful clearances and improved disposal efficiency, silencing questions about the trade; Cripps rediscovers enough of his destructive edge to remain a central influence for Carlton.
- Most likely: Flanders remains a high-possession player but struggles to consistently affect clearances or hit targets, leaving lingering regret over the trade cost; Cripps remains an influential player but less dominant than at his peak, requiring structural support around him.
- Most challenging: St Kilda experiences buyer’s remorse as Flanders’ role and efficiency fail to match the investment; Carlton finds Cripps’ output has declined materially, raising broader questions about the side’s midfield balance and long-term plan.
These scenarios are framed by performances and comments from the opening fixtures and by Cornes’ commentary on both players’ recent displays.
What should clubs and supporters take away? Monitor the immediate responses at the MCG fixtures: a clearer impact from Flanders on the scoreboard and in clearances would blunt Cornes’ trade critique, while a decisive reaction from Cripps would counter concerns that he has passed his peak. If those responses do not arrive, the more challenging scenarios — debt to a trade or a champion in decline — gain traction. Either way, the lines of consequence are now clear and the season’s first answers will shape how both cases are judged, a point pressed repeatedly by Kane Cornes.
