Kane Cornes says Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos is treated differently by AFL umpires due to a “superstar tax”.
Cornes’ comments came the morning after a thrilling but controversial finish to the Magpies’ clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Collingwood survived a monster scare from the cellar dwellers, winning the contest 18.11 (119) to 19.4 (118).
PAUL GALLEN: Surprise snub that makes no sense amid Blues overhaul
READ MORE: Demon trolled by girlfriend after title win, rankings high
READ MORE: ‘Downside’ to Latrell recall after ‘moment of madness’
The Kangaroos were in front with little more than three minutes on the clock, when Magpies superstar Bobby Hill took a spectacular mark and kicked the goal to put his side ahead by two points.
But it was a few seconds later when commentators thought North Melbourne should have earned a free kick in front of goal, when Daicos attempted to charge through two defenders then disposed of the ball in a suspicious way.
Umpires have spent the past few weeks strictly penalising players for incorrect disposal and holding the ball.
Instead the umpires let it go and while the Kangaroos managed to later kick a behind, they couldn’t get their second win of the season.
Cornes believes if it was a player other than Daicos in that moment, the umpire may have blown his whistle.
“Nick Daicos is umpired differently,” Port Adelaide great Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“There is undoubtedly a superstar tax when it comes to umpiring.
“I’ve had this theory for a number of years now, ever since I was playing, because the best players in the game are umpired differently.
“This isn’t a knock on Nick, it’s a knock on how he’s adjudicated. He gets more favourable treatment from the umpires if there is a 50-50 call, more often than not he gets the benefit of that call.
“The one late yesterday is clearly holding the ball inside forward 50.
“If that is any other player, who is not a superstar, that free kick is paid against him.”
Daicos is considered in the top two best young players in the competition, alongside West Coast’s teen phenom Harley Reid.
North Melbourne was again dudded on Sunday by a non-call after the Daicos incident.
The Kangaroos should have been paid a 50-metre penalty which would have put Bailey Scott in front of the goals and likely won them the game.
Instead they remain on the bottom of the AFL ladder with one solitary win in 2024.