Cornes backs tough call to forbid star player from mid-season international trip

GWS defender Jack Buckley has been told by the club he cannot fly to Paris mid-season to watch his partner Celeste Mucci compete at the Olympics.

Mucci will compete in the 100m hurdles for the Australian athletics team in the coming weeks.

However, the Giants have denied Buckley the chance to go and support his girlfriend, despite other clubs being more lenient.

Melbourne let wingman Ed Langdon attend a wedding in London in May, while the Cats and Pies allowed Oisin Mullin and Oleg Markov respectively similar leave.

Kane Cornes and Sam Edmund discussed the issue on SEN Breakfast, with Cornes agreeing with the team’s tough call.

Edmund: “Should Jack Buckley be allowed to go to Paris?”

Cornes: “No.”

Edmund: “Why not?”

Cornes: “Because it’s a pretty important time of the year for his football team for which he is employed to play for. I don’t think it qualifies on the giving birth scale.”

Edmund: “What about weddings? So three players in Oleg Markov, Ed Langdon and Oisin Mullin all left for weddings (this year)?”

Cornes: “I would have never asked my coach to attend a wedding mid-season. That’s just me. I get things have changed significantly, but I certainly wouldn’t even ask.”

Edmund: “What if he was able to leave straight after a game and get back for the next one?”

Cornes: “I wouldn’t think that’s the ideal preparation, but you’re probably more likely to allow it, but I think Adam Kingsley has said ‘no, we’re not doing this, don’t even ask’, I think that’s the right call for a footy call to make. Do you have a different view?”

Edmund: “No, no, I agree with you wholeheartedly.”

The Giants are currently 7th on the AFL ladder, but fighting amongst a pack of teams in that mix.

They are also without star defender Sam Taylor, likely adding to their call to force Buckley to stay.