Kane Cornes believes Alastair Clarkson has every right to be frustrated with the AFL over delaying the announcment of list sizes for 2021.
Clarkson is annoyed that AFL clubs haven’t been given greater clarity on what list sizes will look like next year with cuts expected because of the financial fallout from COVID-19.
"I can't understand what the delay is on that," the four-time premiership Hawthorn coach said.
"So please, AFL, give us some information. We need it badly."
Cornes sided with Clarkson on the matter accusing the AFL of “neglecting” the issue while trying to finalise a venue for this year’s Grand Final.
“I’ve been critical of Clarko with his holding the ball complaints earlier in the year and the AFL bowing to that and changing it a week after he made those comments,” Cornes said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“But what he is saying there, I absolutely agree with. He is spot on.
“Clubs trying to make decisions about players and their futures, we are into September, contracts run out in October for these players, and they don’t know what is going on with their lives.
“Are list sizes going to go from 44 to 38? Is it 40? Does it stay the same? Who knows?
“So how do you make decisions on that? It’s an absolute juggling act. There’s so many balls in the air.
“Whilst the AFL has been so consumed by the Grand Final and getting up to Queensland, they’ve neglected the biggest issue for club lists and player’s futures moving forward.”
Cornes also questioned the AFLPA's role in allowing the unresolved matter to rumble on with clubs looking to make list-management calls for next season.
“And what role does the AFL Players’ Association have in this?” the Port Adelaide champion said.
“How have they let this slide for so long? Their whole job is to look after the interests of the players.
“Yet they’ve just sat idle and let the AFL take so long in this decision.”