Kane Cornes says Mark Ricciuto's comments resulting in Adelaide veterans' lack of effort
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has suggested that Mark Ricciuto's comments on veteran players who have departed the club is leading to the current poor run of form.
Ricciuto caused a stir last week, when he explained why integral parts of the 2017 Grand Final side such as Eddie Betts, Hugh Greenwood and Josh Jenkins were let go over the off-season.
The Adelaide Crows director's comments regarding Greenwood were especially eyebrow-raising, suggesting that the 28-year-old would not play in the Crows' next premiership side.
According to Cornes, Ricciuto's judgement on Greenwood may have had a detrimental impact on the club's current crop of veteran players aged 28 and above.
Hugh Greenwood had the last laugh against his old side as the Gold Coast Suns ran riot against Adelaide Getty
"If that is the precedent for Mark Ricciuto, if you're 28 years of age, he's basically saying you can't win a flag at the Adelaide Football Club," Cornes told Footy Classified.
"You're wondering why there's a lack of effort from the Adelaide Football Club, particularly from the older players, it's because they believe that their club doesn't think that they'll win a flag.
"If I'm Brad Crouch, who's 27, Smith, Seedsman, Talia, Lynch, Walker, Sloane and Gibbs, I now know that my football club thinks that I cannot win a flag because I'm over the age of 28.
"Perhaps that's why you're seeing the effort that they're giving on the field, because what's the motivation for them to rock up and play if their club and their most famous name does not think that they can win a flag.
Cornes said that Ricciuto's comments are impacting loyal servants to the club like Daniel Talia Getty
"If I'm Daniel Talia, who's given his heart and soul, why am I turning up and playing?"
Following his controversial comments, Ricciuto has faced mounting pressure surrounding his dual role as a media commentator and the Crows director, and Matthew Lloyd urged the Crows legend to pick a side.
"I think he's as conflicted as anyone," he said.
"Trying to do a media role and to (be director), I think he's just asking for trouble.
"He's got to choose: Am I involved with the Crows or am I going to be a media commentator?"
