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In-stadium commentary at Mt SmartKane Cornes’ Countdown: The players who would be better off at another club
SEN • May 22nd, 2025 10:24 am
Kane Cornes has look at the players he believes would be better off at another club.
Whether it be injury, form, a lack of opportunity or something else, these players could benefit from leaving their current club for another home.
See his list below:
The players who would be better off at another club
1 - Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
“It is so obvious and it was obvious from whenever this started - go to a club that needs a ruckman,” Cornes said on SEN's Sportsday.
“Maybe it’s Gold Coast, because Jarrod Witts is coming to the end. The conditions there with the weather and the warmth and off broadway a little bit.
“He could get himself off the back pages of the paper. Under the radar, Sean Darcy to Gold Coast, I think that is a good fit.”
2 - Harley Reid (West Coast)
“This is controversial but Harley Reid would be better off if he left the Eagles.
“Go to a powerhouse club that has more midfield depth where you’re not ‘the guy’ or the main one who clubs are going to come after every single week.
“I think that will happen, I don’t know when that happens, but I think Harley Reid will be a very different version of Harley Reid at the next club than what he is at the Eagles.
“Unfortunately for them, but I’m sure they’ll get a good price for him.”
3 - Jacob Van Rooyen (Melbourne)
“In 2024 he played 21 games and kicked 30 goals, took 35 marks inside 50 and about a contested mark per game.
“So they said, ‘You know what? We’ve got our key forward. He’s 21, we’ll give him the four-year extension’. A great show of faith for him. He could have gone and didn’t, so stayed loyal.
“What about his numbers this year - six games, four goals, three marks inside 50, has not played in a win and amazingly is stuck behind Harrison Petty, who is not a forward, and Aidan Johnson.
“He should get out.”
4 - Callum Brown (GWS)
“He is a really interesting one for me. I think he’s one of the most athletic players in the game.
“He’s about to turn 25, should be in his absolute prime. Only 13 games last season which included a bag of five in Round 1, a couple of bags of three.
“Eight games this year but I don’t know what his position is and someone has got to work that out because he’s going to be behind Jesse Hogan and Aaron Cadman if he’s a key forward. I’m not sure that he is.
“He’s not getting a game there (as a key forward). Is he a wingman? Probably not.”
5 - James Blanck (Hawthorn)
“He hasn’t played since Round 24, 2023. He’s only 24 years of age which really surprised me.
“He is a Tom Barrass type defender, more defensive than Barrass but gets the job done.
“He had the ACL injury and some infected stuff related to the knee. He played in the VFL on the weekend and the report said: ‘Ever reliable Blancky. He’s not just continuing to be really consistent in that space and put his hand up for AFL selection in the near future’.
“Problem is he’s stuck behind Barrass, Battle and Sicily. God luck.
“If a team needs a key defender then go and get him.”
6 - Sam Berry (Adelaide)
“Pick 26 in 2020. It’s his fifth season and he cannot break into Adelaide’s team.
“Four games this year, all as the sub. I think he’s got so much more to offer, every time I see him play he’s got speed and power.
“Maybe the tank or engine isn’t good enough to play a full game, but I would be looking at him as a great asset for a team that needs a bit of youth and midfield depth.
“Collingwood is the pick for me with their ageing midfield. When you look at Crisp, Sidebottom, Pendlebury and Mitchell, I think there is a very good opportunity. There just don’t have the draft picks to go and get a star.
“So they’ve got to be really smart with their list management to target players on the periphery that aren’t going to cost them first-round pick, because they don’t have any.”
7 - Leek Aleer (GWS)
“He can’t force his way into the Giants side.
“Pick 15 in 2021. Sounds to me like he’s already made up his mind (to join St Kilda) if you listen to the trade and draft exports.
“12 games in three and a half years, is stuck behind Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley. Athletic freak.
“I think the best fit for him is North Melbourne. I think they should be having moving heaven and earth to get him to shore up their key defence. Imagine him and (Charlie) Comben.”
