After his coach hit back at constant criticism from one former player, Richmond’s Tim Taranto has delivered a serve of his own.
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Last week, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick called Cornes, a premiership teammate, to voice his frustration with continued attacks on Taranto, who Cornes said was not in the top 150 players in the league.
Hardwick then went public with his attack, declaring Cornes, who works in various media roles on radio and TV, was only over-analysing Taranto, who crossed to Richmond from GWS on a seven-year deal, for “clicks”.
On Wednesday, Taranto, who is fourth in the AFL for disposals in 2023 and top 10 for contested possessions, clearances and tackles, declared he was shocked by the level of personal criticism, having played his first six seasons in Sydney.
He said Cornes had a “narrative” he was trying to push as part of his various roles, and while Taranto conceded he had things to work on, he found the focus on him disappointing.
“It’s been a bit of a shock … it seems like it’s coming week by week now and I’ve kind of gotten used to Kane’s comments,” Taranto said.
“He’s got a narrative and he’s going hard at it. Now he’s going to analyse and find thing to back up his points, which he is allowed to do, he’s allowed to have an opinion and allowed to read stats and whatnot.
“Good on him and I’m sure his boss is very happy with him and I can’t argue with what he’s saying. Just let him say what he wants.”
Taranto said Cornes and other media pundits could use stats and vision “to make anyone look good or bad”, and the support of Hardwick and his teammates, and back-to-back Richmond wins, made Cornes’ attacks less potent.
“I mean, what he‘s saying is not entirely wrong. Like I’m not a very good kick. I’m not gonna try and say I am. It’s definitely a part of my game I need to work on, there’s no doubt about that,” he told RSN.
“But it’s disappointing. I feel like I’m doing some other things pretty well.
“And I guess you know, you can find numbers and you can find narratives and things on certain players to make anyone look good or anyone look bad. It’s not very hard to do.
Tim Taranto has the support of coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“I understand what he’s saying. It’s just disappointing that that’s all that’s been focused on.
“I’ve been backed out really well from Dimma and the midfield coaches and boys as well. They’ve gotten around me really hard and supported me. It’s not like it’s a tough time or anything, what Kane has been saying, because I haven’t really experienced that type of criticism before.
“Everyone’s gonna have lovers and haters. It’s just part of the game and something I’ve accepted and just gotta get through.”