Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes has singled out Richmond's Sydney Stack, saying that he thinks is shaping up to be the "biggest draft steal in the history of the AFL."
Sydney Stack was overlooked in the draft, but earned a spot on Richmond's list after a brutal two-month trial, signing during the supplemental selection period.
Speaking on SEN, Cornes said Stack's brilliance shone through in Richmond's otherwise disappointing round 13 loss to Adelaide.
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"Sydney Stack is shaping up to be the biggest draft steal in the history of the AFL,” Cornes said.
"There isn’t a club in the competition that wouldn’t kill to have him on their list.
“In fact, if last year’s AFL Draft was re-done, Stack would be a top five pick. He may even go top three.”
Cornes' comments come after debate erupted over an incident involving Adelaide's Eddie Betts and Sydney Stack.
Betts kicked a miraculous goal, and Stack celebrated afterwards with him.
Game recognise game.
— AFL (@AFL) June 13, 2019
Sydney Stack shows his appreciation for Eddie's brilliance! #AFLCrowsTigers pic.twitter.com/nVWOdOdWho
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick backed Stack in his post-game press conference.
"Good goals are good goals. We like to celebrate don’t we?" Hardwick said.
"They’re not throwing Sydney out of the stadium for that are they? For celebrating (with) the opposition. That’s allowed?
"Just in case the AFL doesn’t want us congratulating the other players. Just saying, just be careful.
"It’s good."
The comments from Hardwick are particularly pertinent given Stack lived with Hardwick during the pre-season that ultimately led him to getting signed.
Stack earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 11, after starring against North Melbourne.
Speaking to foxsports.com.au, he recounted how hard he was pushing himself.
“Pre-season was crazy. I trained as hard as I could and didn’t give up, so I just kept training while I was vomiting,” Stack said.
“I vomited on the boys quite a bit. I was vomiting every session right up to pre-season training finished. It was crazy.”