Kane Cornes has expressed concerns regarding the ongoing cultural issues at Melbourne Football Club, despite attempts to address turmoil following a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team finish 14th. In a recent discussion on SEN Radio, Cornes questioned whether the club’s leadership genuinely believes their public statements, especially after the resignations of CEO Gary Pert and President Kate Roffey amidst ongoing unrest triggered by on-field failures and internal player discontent, notably involving star midfielder Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca.
Cornes highlighted the disconnect between the club’s declarations of having a strong culture and the reality of repeated conflicts, suggesting that when Goodwin describes recent controversies as ‘isolated incidents’, it raises doubts about his credibility. He pointed out the inconsistency in Goodwin’s comments regarding Oliver and Kysaiah Pickett, questioning how can the club maintain that these players are fully engaged while trade rumours persist.
Ultimately, Cornes underlined a lack of authenticity in the club’s messaging, urging fans and observers not to take their statements at face value. As Melbourne prepares to face GWS in a critical match on March 16, questions about their internal culture and commitment remain unresolved.