Kane Cornes is confused by Melbourne’s decision making in recent years, with the decision to give James Harmes a five-year contract extension the newest example.
The former Port Adelaide midfielder feels the club has made a couple of questionable decisions.
“I’m a bit staggered by Melbourne to be honest,” Cornes told SEN’s the Captain’s Run.
“I like James Harmes. He comes into the Sunday Footy Show often, he has a laugh, he is a terrific guy, but when we comment in the media, we don’t comment on their personality and their character.
“Melbourne has given Harmes a five-year contract. He’s 24 years old, a good player, plays a role through the midfield, but a five-year deal for James Harmes?”
“On the back of the long-term deal they gave Steven May that didn’t work, on the back of giving Jake Lever a long-term deal that didn’t work, giving up pick six which could have been Ben King.
“I just think some of the decisions coming out of the Melbourne Football Club this year are staggering for me.
“When you look at the players that have been given long term deals, you’re looking at the likes of Rory Sloane, Lachie Neale, Charlie Curnow, Dylan Shiel, Nathan Fyfe, Toby Greene, Chad Wingard, Jared Polec.
“James Harmes getting a five-year deal, it absolutely staggers me. I just can’t get my head around it. Is his footballing ability worthy of a five-year deal when he still had one more year to go (on his contract)? I’m not sure.”
Cornes believes that in hindsight, the Demons would want to take the Steven May trade back.
“What would you rather have? An unfit Steven May who can’t get out on the park and is 28, or would you rather have one of the brightest key forward prospects in the game in Ben King at pick six,” he said.
“I know a lot of that is hindsight, but gee they’ve given up a lot to get Lever and May.”