“What a joke”: Cornes reacts to Dogs’ leadership group announcement

Kane Cornes’ problem with big leadership groups at AFL clubs has again come to the fore after the Western Bulldogs announced their eight-man group for the 2026 season.

Unsurprisingly, the Dogs have stuck with Marcus Bontempelli as captain. Aaron Naughton and Ed Richards replace Tom Liberatore as vice-captain, with the experienced midfielder joining the rest of the leadership group alongside Bailey Dale, Cody Weightman, Rhylee West and Matt Kennedy.

Cornes took to X on Tuesday, where he tweeted, ‘Why not just make the whole team the leadership group?’, and he explained his issue with the decision on Wednesday morning on SEN Breakfast.

“It's been a bugbear of mine for a long time. What a joke,” Cornes said.

“Why are we having eight, nine or even 11 in a leadership group like Brisbane had a couple of years ago?

“Your job as a leader is to perform well and set the example on game day. That is your job.

“90 per cent of it is what you do on game day, 10 per cent of it is what you do off the field. 

“I think these votes and player power get too caught up in what players are doing off the field and the character they are, and it becomes a bit more of a popularity contest.”

Cornes thinks that leadership groups should be shrunk, and one name that sticks out to him that shouldn’t be in the Bulldogs’ group is Cody Weightman. Not because the small forward isn’t a leader in his own right, but because it’s not what is best for his footy as he recovers from knee injuries.

“In no way should Cody Weightman be in the Western Bulldogs’ leadership group,” Cornes said.

“He's got enough on his plate. Like the guy's knee was deformed last year, he's got to get himself back 100 per cent fit and focused on that. 

“Now, unless they've said, ‘Let's put Cody in the leadership group so he can attend the meetings to take his mind off everything he's been through’… but it's still a heavy responsibility. 

“I've sat in these leadership groups on meetings on a Monday morning. It can be heavy… there’s no way Cody Weightman in the best interests of his football and body should be in the leadership group.”

Cornes was also surprised that the Dogs didn’t include one man in their group, Sam Darcy.

For Cornes, he’d have the tall forward as one of the club’s three main leaders alongside Bontempelli and Liberatore.

“Sam Darcy, who's the most influential player in the league, should be in the Western Bulldogs leadership group,” Cornes added.

“Look at him. He’s one of the most competitive players that there is in the game, the most dominant force.

“90 per cent of leadership is what you do on game day, not who speaks the most in meetings.”