Caroline Wilson has ambushed Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge after Kane Cornes was forced to explain his decision to step down from an AFL role over a conflict of interest.
Cornes has stepped down from his role as an All Australian selector and Rising Star judge after bookmaker Sportsbet changed its policy surrounding its on-screen talent having any official roles with sporting organisations.
Cornes has chosen to remain working with the bookmaker, who this week cut ties with AFL umpire Nick Foot. The policy tweak came to light after Foot’s involvement in the Zak Butters tribunal saga.
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Speaking on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters on Tuesday, Wilson put panellist Hodge in the hot seat when asking about the former Brisbane Lions player’s role with TAB.
You can watch the exchange in the video player above.
The AFL in February announced Hodge would be joining the All Australian selection panel, which is chaired by AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon.
When asked if there was an “issue” for Hodge, the Hall of Fame inductee responded: “I only found out about Kane prior to getting here, but I haven’t had any notice of that from TAB or any of their employees with any official role.
“I only just heard of Kane’s before.”
When Cornes jumped in to say that AFL would be “incredibly supportive” of Hodge keeping both roles, Wilson jumped in to say: “Actually, can I ask Luke a question? I wasn’t asking you”.
Hodge said he had not yet considered if he would stand down from his role with the AFL if TAB also changed its policy.
Cornes was quick to move onto the next segment after the volatile discussion.
The Port Adelaide premiership winner said his decision to remove himself from AFL roles was the result of an existing contract he has with Sportsbet across multiple media roles.
The AFL was under pressure to review its own policy on officials having arrangements with corporate bookmakers after Butters’ judiciary case was dismissed due to juror misconduct.
In a nightmare for league headquarters
Butters was initially found guilty by the AFL Tribunal on April 14, 2026, for using abusive language towards umpire Foot.
Foot said Butters asked him, “How much are they paying you?”. Butters denied saying this and his club said the star midfielder had been branded a liar.
The case reignited debate over whether it was ethical that Foot, a grand final umpire, held a dual role at Sportsbet as a horse racing analyst — which he started in February 2025.
Cornes, meanwhile, had been on the panel of selectors — since 2022.
Cornes’ decision means he will continue his role on the Sportsbet-produced podcast “In The Back Pocket”, which airs on Thursdays.
