Kane Cornes has voiced concerns about Collingwood potentially mirroring Richmond’s past trajectory, given their ageing roster. The Pies are committed to a “win-now” strategy, aiming for their second premiership title since 2023 with a lineup that remains largely the same as it was two years ago. However, Cornes warns that this approach may have dire consequences, especially after the club traded away their future first-round pick to acquire several seasoned stars for the 2025 season.
Commenting on SEN Radio, Cornes noted, “The biggest story is the Collingwood retirement home and how this will unfold,” highlighting the uncertainty of their future. He acknowledged that while achieving success this way could lead to back-to-back flags, failing could result in an urgent need to rebuild, similar to Richmond’s scenario.
Notable players like Scott Pendlebury (37) and Jeremy Howe (34) contribute to a roster filled with established athletes, and recent acquisitions like Dan Houston and Tim Membrey are intended to strengthen their push for finals. Despite appreciating the risk taken by the Pies, Cornes cautions that their reliance on a predominantly senior list makes the situation precarious, posing questions about long-term sustainability.