Kane Cornes has responded to Ross Lyon's criticism, labelling the former coach's defence of Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe a “cop out”.
On Monday night’s Footy Classified, Cornes highlighted a piece of play from Freo's loss to Port Adelaide on the weekend which saw Fyfe trailing the ball and letting his direct opponent run unopposed.
Ex-Dockers coach Lyon defended the club's star player, captain and reigning Brownlow Medallist.
“It’s easy to critique Nathan (Fyfe),” he said on Wednesday.
“I find it ironic because we’re all talking about attacking football…there’s no better offensive and ball hunter in the competition.
“Yet we want to destroy him when three other players don’t want to do their job.”
Speaking on SEN SA Breakfast this morning, Cornes defended his assessment, saying it was ultimately unnecessary to criticise a younger player as opposed to the captain himself.
“You can critique all the young players at Fremantle as much as you like but critiquing the young players at Fremantle (doesn’t) have as much impact as critiquing Nat Fyfe who is the captain and should be setting the example,” he said.
“He stands next to Sam Powell-Pepper at the stoppage and lets him run through. Yeah there might have been some other players who could have played their role but if your man kicks a goal, it’s your responsibility and particularly when you don’t put the effort in as required which Fyfe didn’t.
“It’s a cop out for Ross, you’ve got to hold the great players to a higher standard than the rest and particularly if you’re a captain.
“I completely disagree with him and I understand he’s a great tactician but I’m really surprised he’d be so forgiving about (what Fyfe did) in that instance.”