AFL legend Kane Cornes has slammed North Melbourne for their “hypocrisy” surrounding their differing treatments of Jason Horne-Francis and Tarryn Thomas after the latter was charged with threatening to distribute an intimate image.
Thomas’ most recent indiscretion was his second of the off-season after he was stopped by police having driven with a suspended license over the Christmas break.
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However, those within the Kangaroos set-up have rallied around the 22-year-old and “will continue to work with Thomas regarding behavioural expectations.”
In comparison, Horne-Francis, who North Melbourne took with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 Draft, was dropped from the team ahead of their Round 21 clash against Adelaide for not taking an ice bath properly in front of interim coach Leigh Adams.
The teenager was eventually traded to Port Adelaide in the off-season, with Kangaroos forward Cam Zurhaar taking a swipe at Horne-Francis in an Instagram story after the latter was seen wearing North Melbourne kit in an off-season training session.
With such contrasting approaches to the players’ issues, Cornes was left baffled as to why Thomas seemingly got the better end of the stick.
“Horne-Francis wasn’t under police investigation,” Cornes wrote in a column for SEN.
“He didn’t lose his license, he didn’t drive without a license, and wasn’t arrested or charged with a crime.
“He missed an ice bath. He was homesick and he played like a frustrated teenager at a poor football club.
“I expected a strong public response from president Sonja Hood and new CEO Jennifer Watt, which sends a message that this kind of behaviour and treatment of women won’t be tolerated.
“Instead, the club is excited to see Thomas, who they tell us is a great kid, play in his new position across half back.
“The hypocrisy is impossible to miss.”
Originally published as ‘Hypocrisy is impossible to miss’: Kane Cornes slams North Melbourne
