Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has suggested the AFL's decision to suspend Swans youngster Elijah Taylor was made easier by his stature in the game.
Taylor was suspended for the remainder of the 2020 season by the AFL on Saturday after he was found to have breached both the AFL's COVID-19 protocols, as well as WA state government guidelines.
The 19-year-old breached the rules by bringing his girlfriend into the Sydney Swans' team hotel while quarantined.
Speaking on Nine's AFL Sunday Footy Show, Cornes questioned whether the AFL would have taken as strong a stance on a more experienced player in the same situation.
"It's an easier call for the AFL to suspend a four-game player for the rest of the season," he said.
"It would have been a really tough call if it were a Dustin Martin or a Steele Sidebottom for the indiscretion he had and he got four weeks.
"I understand it's different because the government are involved, but it was an easier call for the AFL, the fact that it was a four-game player and not a superstar of the game."
While Cornes questioned the potential double-standard of the competition, veteran AFL reporter Damian Barrett said the AFL had no choice but to come down hard on the Swans rookie.
"He would've had to have known he was transgressing because it was done in the early hours of the morning," he told the Sunday Footy Show.
"This is why they've come down hard, another one like this would put (the future of the competition in WA) on shaky ground.
"Yes (they've made an example of him), but they had no choice but to do that. The whole competition is being propped up by these special exemptions and there's a breach.
"I do take the view that even if it had've been Dustin Martin, they would've had to have suspended him, I couldn't see why they wouldn't.
"The circumstances around it are very serious in terms of the breach of exemptions that have been granted."
Barrett's point was echoed by Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd who said, "This is so serious, the game is on the line, so I think they would".
Despite his transgression, the Swans have thrown their full support around Taylor following his season-long suspension.
"We have spoken to Elijah at length and he understands the seriousness of this situation, which has also been reiterated to the entire team," Swans CEO Tom Harley said.
"We also appreciate that the circumstances of this year are unique and challenging for everyone, and we will continue to provide support to Elijah, as well as our other staff and players who are away from their families."
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/kane-cornes-questions-double-standard-of-elijah-taylor-suspension-sydney-swans/4e557376-5ada-4e95-b63c-6d30ab516267
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