Channel 7 AFL expert Kane Cornes has added a new name to his controversial “roadblocks” list, placing Western Bulldogs young gun Ryley Sanders under scrutiny. Cornes, who created the roadblocks category earlier this year to widespread online attention, defines these players as midfielders who accumulate possessions but don’t provide enough value to their teams.
What are the roadblocks?
“The roadblocks are these players that aren’t as valuable as what they should be in the game,” Cornes explained on The Agenda Setters. “They’re midfielders that get a lot of it, but they’re roadblocks because they don’t take you anywhere.”
Cornes introduced the inaugural list in March, calling out 10 players who would struggle under new rules designed to speed up the game. Dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps was the biggest name included, along with fellow experienced midfielders Darcy Parish, George Hewett, Clayton Oliver, James Worpel and Jacob Hopper. Ned Long, Willem Drew, Sam Flanders and Brisbane young gun Levi Ashcroft were the other names on the controversial list.
Changes to the list
Cripps has since been removed from the list after a recent surge in form, coinciding with Carlton’s four-straight wins under interim coach Josh Fraser. “Cripps is out. He’s done enough to be out. He’s gone forward. He’s kicked big goals. He’s been huge for the new coach,” Cornes said.
But a new name has been included, with Cornes putting Bulldogs young gun Ryley Sanders “on watch”. Sanders, taken with pick No. 6 in the 2023 AFL Draft, is enjoying a breakout season, averaging over 25 touches a game. However, Cornes argues he doesn’t do enough with the ball and rarely looks forward when he gets it. This is highlighted by his averaged metres gained being 223 metres, which is ranked outside the top 300 in the league.
Cornes' verdict on Sanders
“Every time Ryley Sanders gets the footy, his natural instinct is to go backwards,” Cornes said. “So you can’t be a short handballer in this game. It reminds me a little bit of high draft pick from North, Will Phillips. Short handballs don’t take you anywhere.
“So if he wants to be a 200-game player in this league, he’s going to have to work on his speed, his fast feet out of stoppage, and his ability to burst and carry the football with his legs. Not this quick hack kick or handball backwards. So right now, pick six, a couple of years ago, Sanders is on watch, and he’s added to the roadblocks. Not to say he can’t come out, but that’s the list, and I’d be a little bit concerned for him.”
