Football great Luke Darcy is branded “pathetic” for hitting football’s most controversial commentator with “one of the nastiest attacks” in history.

AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has criticized Bulldogs commentator great Luke Darcy for his awkward on-air ambush of Kane Cornes, calling it one of the nastiest attacks she has seen against a fellow commentator.

Darcy, who was in South Australia for the Gather Round, took on Port Adelaide great Cornes in front of a live audience on Triple M during last weekend’s football match.

The interview began cordially enough, but soon took a dramatic turn when Darcy criticized Cornes’ commentary style and suggested he had no friends within the industry.

“Luke Darcy attacked my colleague Kane Cornes the other day,” Wilson told Footy Classified in their Caro’s Arrow segment.

“It was one of the nastiest and meanest attacks I have ever witnessed in the football media. And that’s on Luke, not Kane.

“Interestingly, Luke could only name one example to support his theory and equally strange, given his description of Kane’s career as purely transactional, he said he was not prepared for the debate.

‘How pathetic. And a bit rich given that Luke has been alongside some of the worst boys club attacks on the Footy Show and Triple M has had his moments too.

Darcy’s attack on the football athlete seemed to surprise even his co-hosts on the show.

“Kane, I wanted to ask you this question and I’m not being judgmental, so please take this the right way,” Darcy began.

“You are a 300-cap player and you have a special place in the football community, as you should for your exploits on the football field, and I feel that the football community is a golden ticket of people who are usually support each other.” ‘

“But you take a position that’s almost unique in that you’ve probably been meaner and meaner to people than anyone in the history of our industry.”

Obviously, with that exchange they pay you well. Do you feel like that trade-off is worth it when you feel comfortable after a weekend like that? Is it something you feel comfortable with?

Cornes responded that he stands behind all of his comments and asked if Darcy could give some examples.

“I could send you several editions,” Darcy said.

—I found your comment about Trent Cotchin particularly unpleasant.

“His comments about some AFL coaches are unpleasant at times.”

Cornes responded that Darcy may not have found his joke about Cotchin “funny,” but suggested that “a lot of other people did.”

Darcy continued: ‘There is a view in the community that you have taken an advantage that very few people have achieved before.

“I’m not being critical, that’s a role you take on, and people like Piers Morgan do it in the UK and make a lot of money from it, and there’s always a role for Steve Price in this job.

‘That’s the role you play…. (and with) people really uneasy about it, is that something you think is worth it?

Cornes responded: ‘I wouldn’t do it if I did (I feel uncomfortable). You would say nasty, I would say blunt, you would say divisive, possibly.

“I would say I have strong opinions, but you can call me and discuss them with me at any time if you think it’s out of line…

‘I don’t invent things. I don’t say things just because.

‘Have I done it right all the time? Absolutely not. Have I put in 20 percent effort at times? I absolutely have it. But I don’t think we always get it right.

Darcy then wondered if Cornes regretted any of his actions.

“I saw you at the gym today and you looked like someone who doesn’t want to run into people, and I find that a little sad,” Darcy said.

“I wonder if that trade-off (compensation is the price you’re paying).”