AFL greats in radio stoush over troubling Tarryn Thomas allegations

Kane Cornes has labelled North Melbourne “hypocritical” as new details emerge in the scandal surrounding footballer Tarryn Thomas.

Kane Cornes at the SEN studio. Picture SARAH REED

Kane Cornes has taken another swipe at North Melbourne as new details emerge about the club’s response to allegations against Tarryn Thomas.

Cornes on Friday clashed with North Melbourne great David King after he described the football club as “hypocritical”.

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The footy shock jock earlier this week said the club’s response to Thomas’ alleged behaviour had been “weak” compared to its ultimate decision to trade former No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis to Port Adelaide following rumoured cases of unprofessionalism at the Kangaroos.

Thomas was on Wednesday stood down by the Kangaroos after the club backflipped on its previous stance of keeping him on the training paddock.

As confirmed by the North Melbourne Football Club, Thomas is facing criminal charges for threatening to distribute an intimate image. He had also been pulled over by police for driving with a suspended license during the Christmas break.

The Herald Sun first revealed more allegations have since come to light as the AFL Integrity Unit continues its investigation into Thomas’ behaviour off the field. The North Melbourne player has been accused of harassment and intimidating behaviour.

Late on Wednesday night, a fresh allegation of inappropriate behaviour saw Thomas stood down.

Kane Cornes at the SEN studio. Picture SARAH REED

The Herald Sun on Thursday night revealed the Kangaroos made the decision to stand Thomas down after another woman came forward and ultimately made further allegations which were heard by the AFL Integrity Unit. AFL officials and senior North Melbourne staff are then reported to have held several discussions before the decision was made for Thomas to be stood down. He remains on full pay, according to Channel 7’s Tom Browne.

King has now responded to Cornes’ earlier comments by saying the Port Adelaide great had been “wildly inaccurate” to compare the situation with the one that saw Horne-Francis moved on.

“Comparing it to a Horne-Francis ice bath, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said on SEN.

“You’ve been comparing this to Jason Horne-Francis and they are totally isolated. You have to look at each case separately. I know you’re talking about support of Horne-Francis and support of Tarryn Thomas.”

Cornes, however, responded by suggesting North Melbourne had not given Horne-Francis the same support as Thomas had enjoyed when the club made its decision to keep Thomas in its football program despite the first serious allegation being made last year.

“You’re supporting one but not the other one,” he said.

Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos. Photo by Mike Owen/AFL Photos.

He went on to say: “Is it more serious than what Tarryn Thomas has done? Well, they’re standing by him yet they’re quick to exit Horne-Francis is my point.”

Cornes had earlier labelled North Melbourne “hypocritical” after the club changed its position on Thomas once the situation began to play out publicly.

“North and the AFL have been aware of these allegations for some time … Shockingly it took a front-page article to emerge before addressing the matter,” Cornes lamented.

“Why did the club and AFL wait months before addressing them? Why did it only feel necessary to respond upon the story becoming public?

“Why did new captain Luke McDonald speak so glowingly of Thomas just last week, throwing his support behind him and calling him a great kid – I wonder how that made the alleged victims feel hearing that?

“Why is the club’s punishment for missing an ice bath more severe than what Thomas has been alleged?

“Why didn’t they address or sanction him for the driving charges?

“Last week I called North Melbourne hypocrites for not sanctioning and condemning the behaviour of Thomas. One week later, I stand entirely by that statement.

“It’s been a disturbing day for North fans.”

The allegations made against Thomas include one woman’s claim the footballer sent her a text message that read: “You’re a f**king joke … keep talking sh*t … sh*t going to come around soon … your turn will come … sh*t is going to go down … I’m not a n**** to be f**ked with.”

Another woman sent a text to friends last year that read: “I’m too scared … i know he’s (Thomas) gonna kill me.”

Tarryn Thomas is contracted until the end of the 2024 season. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

Originally published as AFL greats in radio stoush over troubling Tarryn Thomas allegations