Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes says Hawthorn forward Chad Wingard needs to pull his head in after taunting an opponent during the Hawks’ 121-54 loss to the Suns on Saturday night.
Cornes identified two moments from Wingard in the third quarter that didn’t sell with him as the Hawks trailed by just over seven goals at the time.
He suggested Wingard made a “blatant play” to draw a free kick, and criticised the forward for taunting Suns defender Charlie Ballard after kicking a goal moments after his effort to earn the umpire’s attention.
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Cornes took aim at Wingard for copying Sydney’s Luke Parker, who earlier this month made headlines for taunting Essendon’s Dylan Shield mid-game.
“He’s involved in a contest in the forward 50 – a blatant play for a free kick… then the ball comes straight back in and he miraculously bounces back to his feet,” Cornes told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“He kicks a great goal which Chad can do.
“Then this after, you’re 40 points down. You’re not Luke Parker – we saw with Dylan Shiel.
“I think you need to pull your head in and understand where you are as a club and where you are as a player.”
Cornes said he hopes Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell speaks with Wingard.
“Yes, highly talented and you could never question his competitiveness, but it was an ordinary effort,” he added.
“I think that’s embarrassing and (Sam) Mitchell should probably have a word to him.”
The Hawks sit in 13th spot on the ladder with four wins and seven losses.
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