Kane Cornes and David King have reacted to the situation involving Dayne Zorko and Touk Miller.
Gold Coast co-captain Miller was suspended for one match for conduct unbecoming after he made contact with Brisbane veteran Zorko’s groin region during the weekend’s Q-Clash.
It is a peculiar case given the MRO did not cite Miller at first, before Zorko’s complaints were heard by the AFL who eventually opted to suspend Miller.
Zorko responded to the suspension on SENQ Breakfast, prompting a discussion between Cornes and King.
DAYNE ZORKO RESPONDS AFTER TOUK MILLER’S SUSPENSION
Cornes believes the whole situation has been handled questionably by the AFL.
“We can’t make light of the fact that this is serious, but if it is the case it’s not a one-week suspension,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“The way that it’s been handled is really questionable, how it got to this stage where they let him off on a Monday and then suspended him on a Thursday.
“Have you got some thoughts on Zorko and Miller and how Zorko carries and has carried himself?”
In response, King questioned Zorko’s role in pushing for Miller’s suspension.
He believes the former Lions captain acted with double standards given he is more often than not the antagonist in such situations.
“I just think Dayne Zorko has been on the wrong side of these instances in the past,” he said.
“Players haven’t gone after him like he’s gone after Touk Miller. I just think it’s a strange feeling for me and I can understand the resentment from other players about Dayne that he is not a popular player amongst the code.
“Because when the shoe was on the other foot, he’s gone full bore. Effectively he’s got Miller suspended, there’s no other way of looking at this. He’s effectively ensured that Touk Miller is not playing this week.
“I find that a bit of a double standard for Dayne. We had the Harrison Petty stuff last year.
“It’s a dangerous precedent to set if you’re going to go down this path. You can argue whether the action is suspendible or not, but if it is it’s three weeks, it’s not one. They’ve found a middle ground somehow.
“In terms of Dayne now just moving on, I don’t think other players are just moving on.”
King and Cornes wondered whether the Suns have done enough to support Miller.
King said: “I think the club should challenge this to protect their own player.
“Dayne Zorko is coming out and thanking the club for supporting him this week. Are Gold Coast supporting Touk Miller in not challenging the validity of this suspension?”
Cornes added: “Their words are but their actions aren’t.
“Wayne Campbell was quick to release a statement last night but you would be sceptical that this was a deal that had come up between the club and the AFL.
“It’s a strange issue and the relationship between Zorko and Miller has another chapter to it.”
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