Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes believes Sydney ruckman Tom Hickey would be “embarrassed” by his performance in Saturday’s Grand Final loss to Geelong.
Hickey, who has had a strong season for the Swans, was soundly beaten by direct opponent Rhys Stanley as well as Mark Blicavs and Tom Hawkins throughout the day.
With Hawkins in particular getting the better of Hickey on two occasions early in the game to kick goals, Cornes says the 31-year-old was simply “uncompetitive” in big moments.
“Tom Hickey was disgraceful yesterday, let’s be honest,” Cornes said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“Tom Hawkins was a forward-ruck, we all know what Tom Hawkins is trying to do, he’s trying to grab the ball out of the ruck, we all know it and a big renowned ruckman wasn’t able to handle it.
“Here, first goal of the game, Hickey was uncompetitive in the ruck against a forward.
“Once again, you would not believe it that Tom Hawkins kicked two goals out of the ruck against Tom Hickey.
“He’d be quite embarrassed by that performance this morning.”
Hickey ended the game with 13 disposals, two tackles and 21 hitouts as the Cats won the hitout count 44 to 24 throughout the day.
The moment in the opening 15 seconds of the #AFLGF that set the tone ⌚
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 25, 2022
The Cats' mauling of Sydney at the centre bounces 💪
And the Swan who was 'disgraceful' on the big stage 😲#9AFLSFS | Watch on @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/Ms9HzTXKZq