The AFL All-Australian choice committee has misplaced a second member, with Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge becoming a member of Kane Cornes in withdrawing.
It comes following scrutiny surrounding these with roles in the footy business who additionally work for sports activities betting firms.
In Hodge’s case, he does some work for TAB.
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Luke Hodge presents the Norm Smith Medal in 2025. by way of Getty Photos
The four-time premiership Hawk was new to the committee in 2026, and by no means ended up even attending a gathering.
The state of affairs stems from AFL umpire Nick Foot and his relationship with Sportsbet, overlaying horse racing.
That relationship confronted heavy scrutiny in the wake of Foot’s reporting of Port Adelaide star Zak Butters for umpiring abuse.
Sportsbet has since modified its insurance policies to make sure there have been no sporting officers or award voters on its books.
Foot parted methods with them as a part of that, whereas Cornes, who additionally has a working relationship with the bookmaker, later introduced he was stepping down from the All-Australian committee.
AFL subject umpire Nick Foot. AFL Pictures by way of Getty Photos
“I’ve done the similar as what Kane has done – I’ve stood down from the committee,” Hodge informed Channel Seven on Tuesday.
“As a result of you do not need the integrity questioned of something like that. I’ve had a long-standing relationship with TAB.
“I have never even joined a gathering but with the All-Australian committee, so I assumed it was the smartest thing after talking with the AFL right now that I am going to stand down and let the panel go forward – simply so the integrity of the facet when it will get picked, there is not any query over it.”
Hodge and Cornes have each chosen to keep up their paid roles with the bookmakers over the All-Australian commitments.
Cornes confirmed final week that he did not want to break the contract he has in place with Sportsbet.
Former Brisbane AFLW participant Kate McCarthy, who voted on final yr’s Norm Smith Medal, probably additionally will not be referred to as upon to vote on main awards going ahead because of her personal relationship with Sportsbet.
Kane Cornes. Getty
She could also be allowed to proceed voting on the AFLW All-Australian workforce as there presently is not a betting marketplace for it.
It has been a heavy yr of turnover for the All-Australian committee, with Cornes and Hodge becoming a member of Nathan Buckley, Matthew Pavlich and Josh Mahoney departing the coveted panel.
Buckley joined Geelong as an assistant coach, Pavlich grew to become the CEO of Sydney and Mahoney departed the AFL altogether.
Fremantle nice David Mundy and Geelong champion Joel Selwood joined the panel for 2026 alongside Hodge.
Hodge could have had an additional battle of curiosity as a part of the Rising Star voting panel, given his son Cooper is eligible for Brisbane’s academy and to Hawthorn as a father-son prospect this yr.
AFL All-Australian and Rising Star selectors: Andrew Dillon (chair), Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Abbey Holmes, Glen Jakovich, Laura Kane, David Mundy, Joel Selwood and Greg Swann.
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