- The player weights of all AFL stars will be confidential in 2024
- Part of a new AFL policy and has now been confirmed
- AFL identity Kane Cornes declared ‘the world has gone soft’
The AFL has come under fire after choosing not to publicly reveal the weights of players from all 18 clubs in the season guide ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Ash Browne, editor of the AFL Record – often referred to as the ‘bible’ by footy fans – confirmed the development on SEN Radio on Friday.
‘Yes it’s true. It is a new AFL policy not to reveal player weights,” he said.
“This was an AFL decision. Nowadays they have decided that it is inappropriate for weights to be a public matter, even in a publication like ours.
“They would say that people agree that it is not appropriate to publish (player) weights and that it is private information.”
The AFL has come under fire after choosing not to reveal the weights of players from all 18 clubs ahead of the 2024 season (Photo: Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos)
AFL Record editor Ash Browne confirmed the development on SEN Radio (pictured, Melbourne Demons midfielder Christian Petracca)
Former AFL star turned media identity Kane Cornes was incredulous at the news, as were many entrenched supporters, who were quick to express their dismay on social media.
‘Can you believe it? “I was made aware of this on Thursday… when you get your book (AFL Record) and you want to look up what (Collingwood star) Jordan De Goey weighs, you won’t be able to find it,” Cornes grumbled.
‘The world has become so soft. I can not believe it.
“You’re a professional athlete. You are not a social media influencer. In any other sport I can look that (weight).
“I can tell you (NFL star) Travis Kelce weighed 250 pounds. His quarterback Patrick Mahomes weighs 220 pounds.
‘No longer in my role as commentator I can say (Melbourne Demons star) Jake Lever plays on (Carlton key forward) Charlie Curnow … and Curnow has an 8kg advantage – he should take him deep into the goal field.
“I can’t do that anymore because the AFL has said we’re so soft we can’t include player weight in the season guide.
Former AFL star turned media identity Kane Cornes was in disbelief at player weight news, declaring ‘the world has gone soft’
“I don’t know where this will lead.”
Cornes was often a polarizing figure due to his outspoken nature and received widespread support from bewildered fans online.
‘What’s next? The height of players?’ asked one supporter after the premiership winner with Port Adelaide placed the development at X.
Another said: ‘The AFL has been awake for years, you can’t really be surprised by this.’
A third said: ‘That’s disgraceful. They are professional athletes and it is an integral part of the sport. Especially for die-hard footy fans.”
Other comments included: “LMAO, what’s next? Their height?’, ‘I think they will soon ban their height from being made public for men who are aware that they are not tall enough’ and ‘the world has gone completely mad’.