Kane Cornes was disappointed with Port Adelaide’s handling of Connor Rozee throughout Thursday night’s 78-48 Showdown loss to Adelaide.
The Power skipper entered the game with a slight hamstring injury, which he originally suffered in last week’s win against St Kilda, but was passed fit to play during the week by the club’s medical staff.
While Rozee hit his markers on the training track, he was clearly hampered during the game and was subbed off at three-quarter time with 15 touches to his name.
Power coach Ken Hinkley took ownership for making the mistake of playing Rozee post-game as he noted it was obvious that his star man wasn’t at full fitness.
“MY CALL”: HINKLEY OWNS PORT ADELAIDE’S ROZEE BLUNDER
Cornes felt that it simply wasn’t a risk worth taking and branded the decision as ridiculous.
“One thing I don't like doing is questioning the medical staffs of clubs because they all have the best interests of the players at heart, and they make these tricky decisions with the best intentions,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“But it was just so obvious because you saw it last week, he couldn't go.
“He did his hammy (against St Kilda), he came off, went back on and he couldn't go, he was limping around.
“Then to take a risk like that with a hamstring injury - and credit to Ken for saying I made the mistake - but I don't think that's just ok because you make a mistake.
“It was such an obvious mistake to avoid and now the fallout is significant from it.
“Pre-game I said worst case scenario for Port Adelaide is, ‘Port Adelaide lose Conor Rozee, or he plays poorly and or he does his hammy and this is a huge story’.
“I think it's a big story the risk that they've taken there and says a bit about the importance that they placed on this game and a risk that wasn't worth taking anyway.
“It was ridiculous.”
Cornes’ co-host David King also thinks that the Power should have taken the decision out of Rozee’s hands.
While he understands why the Power would have wanted their captain to play in such a big game, he thinks their decision was clearly short-sighted.
“It is easy in hindsight, of course it is,” King said.
“And they have all the information, we’re not here to question the medical science or the medical decision, but sometimes you've just got to take it out of the player's hands.
“This guy's too valuable a commodity to run any risk.
“If there was any doubt … and when I heard there was something on the scan, that's enough for a player who is a blue-chip investment, an absolute top-liner and captain of your footy club.
“Does it impact your ability to win this game? Of course, it does. But you've got to play a long game, don't you?”
Hinkley said post-match that Rozee didn’t do any further damage to his hamstring on Thursday but probably would have been better off for Round 9 if he’d taken the game off.
The 5-3 Power next face the Cats at GMHBA Stadium next Friday night.
