AFL identity Kane Cornes says athletes' bodies should be critiqued

AFL legend turned media identity Kane Cornes has declared coaches and commentators should continue to publicly expose players if their fitness levels are lagging.

It follows the fat shaming of Gold Coast Suns forward Sarah Perkins, who was trolled on social media earlier this week by some footy fans. 

In response to some brutal remarks, AFLW star Perkins tweeted: ‘2 from 2 this evening … anyone other bloke/fake account wanna comment on my size, body shape, athleticism? 

‘More than happy to hear feedback about my football skill/ability, but unfortunately not everyone can be a size 6!’ 

Cornes, who won a premiership with Port Adelaide in 2004, acknowledged the criticism of Perkins was unacceptable, but said it is the job of fulltime, professional athletes to keep fit.  

‘Sarah Perkins has put this up in lights this week after a couple of comments on a photo of her playing AFLW for Gold Coast,’ he said on SEN radio on Thursday.

The photo of AFLW star Sarah Perkins that saw the Gold Coast Suns forward trolled on social media

A premiership winner with Adelaide in 2017, Ms Perkins (pictured left) found the trolling this week confronting

Polarising AFL identity Kane Cornes then weighed into the chat, stating some athletes should be in the firing line if they are out of shape

‘She shared it, the reaction has been swift and strong and the online trolls have been condemned, as they should be. 

‘That being said, there needs to be an ability to talk about athletes and their bodies when they are full time professional athletes that have one job… and that is to be in the best possible shape.’

Cornes, 39, is no stranger to attracting controversy through his divisive comments in the media.

On frequent occasions the past few years, he has called out Geelong legend Patrick Dangerfield and Adelaide Crows pin-up Tex Walker for not ‘aiming up’ in his eyes. 

He went onto state if the likes of (Essendon player) Jake Stringer is 8kg heavier than he should be and his performances are suffering, the 300 game veteran will continue to express that opinion in a public forum. 

Cornes did acknowledge AFLW players such as Perkins are part-time athletes – and as a result shouldn’t be compared to fulltime, highly paid male athletes chasing a Sherrin. 

‘If you’re a part-time AFLW player that works during the week.. I’m certainly not going to hold you to the same standards,’ he said. 

Perkins took to Twitter on Monday to apologise to fans for the team’s three-point loss to St Kilda last weekend – and was soon insulted by a number of social media trolls.

Her post saw a number of comments criticising the full forward’s weight.

‘Peak athleticism,’ one man wrote, before an AFLW star told him to ‘jog on’.

‘Do you feel better about yourself for this comment? Jog on,’ Collingwood co-captain Steph Chiocci responded. 

‘More than happy to hear feedback about my football skill/ability but unfortunately not everyone can be a size 6!’ Perkins tweeted this week in response to online criticism from trolls

Perkins took to Twitter on Monday to apologise to fans for the team’s three-point loss to St Kilda, before she was insulted by a few disgusting fans

Chiocci, who also works as a high school teacher, then wrote another message of support to Perkins.

‘People are just jealous they have never achieved anything worth posting about. Got your back always.

‘Can’t wait to see you kick more snags from 50m out and lay tackles like a boss.’

The AFL Players’ Association said there was ‘no place’ for abuse in the sport.