Richmond and Western Bulldogs players under fire over 'comical' post-match move
Former AFL premiership winner Kane Cornes has been one of the most vocal critics on the issue in recent years. And he shares an opinion held by many footy fans that guards of honour should only be reserved for retiring champions or to mark milestones for stars who've played at least 300 games.
Cornes took to SEN radio on Monday morning to express his frustration with the situation after labelling it 'comical' to see opposition players from the Bulldogs and Tigers forming a guard of honour for the 200-game milestone men. The Port Adelaide great believes it's an illustration of how the modern game has become 'soft' and questioned where the line would be drawn on future player milestones.
'I saw some extraordinary scenes on the weekend, scenes that I actually cannot believe,' Cornes said on SEN's Fireball. 'How soft has the game become? What is going on? I saw two teams hang around post-match on the ground line up and give guards of honour for game 200.
'I'm not talking Steele Sidebottom 350, I'm not talking last ever game Sam Docherty, I'm not talking game 300. I'm talking game 200. The Western Bulldogs lining up for Ed Langdon is as comical as I've seen, and Richmond lining up for Jack Steele is completely comical.
'So game 300 is the limit or a significant player's retirement. Where to next? 150? 100? First gamers get a chair off? Who has decided to line up for Jack Steele? Ed Langdon? You should say 'well done' and shake his hand, wish him well on his milestone, but we're not giving him a guard of honour.
'Who signed off on the guards of honour? Steam was coming out of my ears. People say relax and don't let things affect you, but they do. We've just become so soft.' The two incidents come in stark contrast to the scenes at Perth's Optus Stadium over the weekend, where Adelaide's players were conspicuously absent when Liam Duggan was chaired from the field in front of a guard of honour from his West Coast teammates.
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Footy fans hit out as AFL guard of honour debate erupts
The absence of the Crows players sparked some backlash around the footy world but it soon emerged that Adelaide's players did offer to be part of the 200-game guard of honour. Footy commentator Tim Gossage told SEN that Crows skipper Jordan Dawson spoke with West Coast integrity officer Peter Staples about hanging around on ground after the game, but they were given the Eagles' blessing to leave.
However, the incidents have thrust the topic of honour guards firmly back into the AFL spotlight, with footy fans divided over the issue. While many believe 200-game milestones should be celebrated, most agree that a banner for the player or chair from the field by teammates is suffice and that both teams should only share in a guard of honour for the truly momentous occasions.
Well done but 200 isn't a guard of honour job
— DBPC (@DeathByPC) August 11, 2025
Don't need an opposition guard of honour for 2 club 200 game player.
— Freo ⚓ Pope (@FreoPope) August 10, 2025
Exactly, that would be reserved for a 300 game player, a 200 game player would get a banner to run through but not a guard of honour.
— Johnhenry60 (@Johnhenry64780) August 10, 2025
Guard of honour for 200ths, give me a spell!
— Brad Parts (@Bradparts58) August 10, 2025
Good player, chair off fine, not sure about guard of honour
— Andrew Mock 🐯 (@amock18) August 10, 2025
Losing their touch. That's 8-9 seasons of AFL. Will be giving out chair off guard of honours like hot cakes soon at that rate
— Shane (@boostar83) August 10, 2025
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