A recent policy adjustment by Sportsbet, Australia’s leading sports betting firm and key AFL partner, creates significant challenges for prominent figures in the league, including a three-time premiership captain and a rising AFLW commentator who judged last year’s Norm Smith Medal.
Policy Change Sparks Widespread Impact
The update follows public concerns over AFL umpire Nick Foot’s involvement in horse racing analysis for Sportsbet. Although no evidence suggests any compromise, Foot stepped down from that role. A Sportsbet spokesperson stated, “Nick has appeared on our ‘Get On’ racing coverage in a racing-only capacity. Following feedback, we’ve decided to no longer feature any serving sports administrators or officials in our programming, to ensure clear separation from their official roles.”
This decision prompts broader questions about conflicts of interest for active AFL officials and pressures other betting firms to respond.
Kane Cornes Resigns Selector Role
Kane Cornes, former Port Adelaide player, relinquishes his position as an AFL All-Australian selector to maintain his work with Sportsbet. “I really enjoy the work at Sportsbet,” Cornes said. “Now that Sportsbet have made the policy change they did, there was no other option.”
Cornes co-hosts a weekly Sportsbet show with Kate McCarthy, a former AFLW player and Triple M commentator. The 33-year-old serves as an AFLW All-Australian selector and judged the Norm Smith Medal for Will Ashcroft last year alongside four others.
Kate McCarthy’s Uncertain Position
McCarthy published an article on the Sportsbet website, suggesting her intent to stay with the company, similar to Cornes. She skipped a recent episode, with host Jason Richardson explaining, “We’re one superstar down in K-Mac [McCarthy], get well soon.” McCarthy declined to comment on her dual roles.
Continued work with Sportsbet would bar McCarthy from future Norm Smith voting under the new policy. Her AFLW All-Australian role appears unaffected, as Sportsbet does not bet on women’s selections.
Le Hodge and Tabcorp Under Spotlight
Former Brisbane captain Le Hodge, who joined the AFL All-Australian selector panel with Cornes in February, works with Tabcorp. When questioned, Hodge responded, “I haven’t had any notice of that [a requirement to step down] from TAB or any of their employees with any official role. I only just heard of Kane’s [situation] before.” Neither Hodge nor Tabcorp has commented further.
Tabcorp faces separate scrutiny, with shares dropping after reporting an Austrac investigation into money laundering and terrorism financing risks. The firm now operates under CEO Gillon McLachlan, former AFL executive.
Calls for AFL Clarity and Contrasting Voices
No other AFL officials have stepped down yet, but criticism mounts. Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire urges the AFL to act: “How about if the AFL comes out and says from here on in, if you are getting a payment from a betting company you are disqualified from voting on any award or being involved in anything that has a betting component.”
Not all analysts engage with betting firms. Channel Seven’s Abbey Holmes, an AFLW alum and All-Australian panel member with Hodge, shared a friend’s gambling addiction story on the Gambler’s Help website in 2020: “I hope that by sharing his story, we can raise some awareness and provide hope for anyone else out there who might be struggling with this horrible addiction.”
In Australia, Gambling Help Online is available at 1800 858 858. The National Debt Helpline is at 1800 007 007.
