Footy great Kane Cornes SLAMS Richmond boss Damien Hardwick as a ‘sore loser’

AFL great Kane Cornes has blasted Damien Hardwick as a ‘sore loser’ after Richmond’s coach asked a question about Tom Lynch’s bump on Alex Keath on Saturday.

Lynch has been sent straight to the AFL tribunal for the bump that gave the Western Bulldogs defender a concussion during the Tigers’ five-point loss in the MGC.

During his post-match press conference, Hardwick was asked what he thought of the incident, but evaded the question and instead fired back at the reporter.

‘For what? Because you were tough in the match?’ Hardwick replied when asked if he expected Lynch to be banished.

Speaking on Nine’s AFL Sunday Footy Show, Cornes criticized his former teammate’s handling of the incident.

Keath (left) was ruled out of the game with a concussion after Lynch (second from left) slammed into him during Richmond’s five-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday

Kane Cornes called Hardwick a “sore loser” for his comments during his press conference

“I thought he came across as a sore loser,” he said.

“He clearly knew what the journalist was asking him about and the incident he was referring to, so he acted stupid at the time.

“It’s nothing personal with Damien Hardwick. I just think that when he had his time again, in today’s football landscape, it’s clear that it’s going to be a talking point.”

The former Port Adelaide star was also very critical of Lynch, insisting the Richmond striker had enough time to mark the ball rather than opting to bump Keath.

The Bulldogs defender ran with the flight of the ball and had no chance to protect himself when Lynch made contact.

He was out for the rest of the game with a concussion.

“Lynch will miss a game for that, he will be suspended. He had an alternative to mark and he chose to punch,” he said.

Alex Keath is knocked out with a concussion in the first quarter and it’s clear the reporter isn’t doing his job if he doesn’t ask that question.

“That’s not cool in a marking game. That’s Tom Lynch again having another alternative than marking the footy.

“He couldn’t mark the footy, he chose to punch and it’s clear in the current environment that will be looked at, and Damien Hardwick should have been aware that this would be a question coming his way. game.’

Lynch faces a minimum of three games after the incident was judged as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

However, an impending suspension will not affect his employability, as the 30-year-old will be sidelined for a long period of time due to a broken foot.

Lynch, who scored two goals before sustaining the injury in the second half, will undergo surgery, and the Tigers will then reassess the injury before posting a timeline on his return.

Lynch has been sent straight to the AFL Tribuna and could accept a three match suspension, but will be sidelined for a long period with a broken foot requiring surgery

His injury is a huge blow to Richmond’s hopes of becoming a real threat to the premiership this year as the star scored 63 goals last season.

His injury is a huge blow to Richmond’s hopes of becoming a real threat to the premiership this year.

The key striker scored 63 goals last season in his best finish since joining the Tigers at the end of 2018, and his absence will put additional pressure on veteran Jack Riewoldt.

Riewoldt was surprisingly rested against the Bulldogs and will return for the Gather Round clash with Sydney this Friday at Adelaide Oval.

Richmond sit outside the top eight after opening their season with a win, two losses and a draw.