Umpires slammed over ‘agenda’ against Greene

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has slammed the AFL’s umpiring fraternity for seemingly having an “agenda” against GWS Giants star Toby Greene.

Cornes highlighted a number of examples from the Giants’ two-point win over Collingwood on Friday where Greene was clearly caught high but not given a free kick.

According to Cornes, the reason for Greene not being given obvious free kicks is due to his trouble at the tribunal in the past.

“I just think we need to celebrate players like Toby Greene and not penalise them for past indiscretions,” he told the AFL Sunday Footy Show.

“How that is not a free kick is a joke. I hope the AFL comes out and reviews that, like they have the Eddie Betts 50m penalty.

“I thought his treatment on Friday night was pretty ordinary to the point where I think the AFL need to acknowledge that.

“They have a set against Toby Greene and an agenda and the AFL umpires that umpired him (need to apologise). I think he is penalised for his reputation.

“Whether it’s sub-consciously or whether it’s at the forefront of their minds. Once they’re in the moment, they’re more likely to pay a free kick to young (Tyler) Brown for over the neck than to Toby Greene, and I could have showed five or six examples of it.

“I just think the reputation that he has, he’s umpired differently to everyone else.”

Cornes’ assertion was backed up by Greene’s recently-retired teammate Brett Deledio.

“Oh absolutely,” Deledio told ABC Grandstand when asked if Greene is officiated differently to other players.

“I don’t often agree with Kane, but on this point I’m going to.

“(Greene) gets an unfair run, they’re almost looking for him to do something wrong.”