Snap Shot is a weekly column taking a look at the lighter side of football.
The Age columnist Kane Cornes’ respect for Port Adelaide and their coach Ken Hinkley is well-known.
He backed the out-of-contract coach when he was under pressure early in the season. He also stood in Jason Horne-Francis’ corner as the youngster donned the No.18 that Cornes made famous in 300 games with Port Adelaide.
Although some may have thought at the time the fact he played in a premiership at Alberton coloured his thinking, Cornes has been proved right, with Port turning into this year’s AFL fairytale.
So, it surprised Snap Shot to notice that while praising the performance of Hinkley and his charges for their revitalised season, Cornes had only tipped Port to win once in the past five rounds.
And he did that against Hawthorn at home, which was not exactly considered a 50-50 match.
Further research – aided by The Age’s beefed up tipping section – showed that Cornes has tipped Port Adelaide to win five times this season. Those games were against Adelaide in the round three Showdown (you can’t tip the Crows), West Coast, Essendon, North Melbourne and then the Hawks.
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes is tipping with his heart when it comes to his former team.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo
The trend only came to our attention when we noticed he had tipped the Bulldogs to beat Port Adelaide after penning an excellent piece praising Port’s turnaround on the eve of their round 13 match against the Western Bulldogs
Always a straight-shooter, Cornes admitted when Snap Shot asked that he started tipping Port games on merit but decided during their winning streak to adopt the view well-known to every tipster in the country, and tip against the team they hope wins to ensure they are happy regardless of the result.
“It’s superstition,” Cornes said.
Given Cornes is sitting at the bottom of The Age tipping table, it’s not as though everyone is hanging on his tip – and he was quite justified in taking a punt in an attempt to crawl up the table.
Now the question is: Will he change tack after the bye?
Carlton’s cricket-led recovery
There is one consistent theme running through the Blues’ two wins since round four: cricket.
Trying to stay in the background in Carlton’s rooms after the Blues’ win over Gold Coast on Sunday was Australian cricket legend David Boon.
David Boon batting for Tasmania against Victoria at the MCG. He was back there on Sunday to watch his beloved Blues.Credit: Ken Irwin
Boon wore a Blues scarf as he took in the celebrations, having spoken informally to players and staff over a cup of tea on Friday.
The popular Tasmanian played in four Ashes wins, averaging 43.65 in a brilliant 107-Test career, and was able to pass on some of his experience in being part of the revitalisation of Australian cricket in the late ’80s.
When asked in the rooms whether he’d been the difference, he was quick to say: “I wouldn’t think so”.
His visit follows champion wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist’s talk to the players before they played West Coast in round seven. Gilchrist, who averaged 47.60 with a strike rate of 81.95 in his 96 Tests, is also a Carlton supporter despite living most of his adult life in Western Australia.
Both have been connected with the club for a long time, bobbing up around the place now and again. The Blues are sure to welcome them to the crease to steady the ship after their efforts this season.
On the coach’s whiteboard
Before you go, here are …
Six key phrases Snap Shot thinks Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan may have used in the coaches’ box when Jack Payne gave away a 50-metre penalty in the final quarter against Sydney at the Gabba.
- “$%^&*(&^%$#%(*&^&*.”
- “If the IT person doesn’t strip this audio, they’re done.”
- “Payne by name, pain by nature.”
- “I’m glad ‘Payney’ likes watching planes take off, because he is going to get a rocket up him post-match.”
- “I think you’ve gotta get the boy off.”
- “The MCG, the MCG, the MCG!!”
They said…
“Aaron is really important for us forward, so it’s unlikely because we’ve got options.” – Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge on whether Aaron Naughton’s move to defence may become more permanent.
But they forgot to say…
”Read my lips: Aaron is really important for us forward, so it’s unlikely because we’ve got options.”
