“Umpired differently”: Cornes says non-decision in Pies’ epic win is evidence of “superstar tax” for Daicos

Kane Cornes says a controversial non-decision that would have penalised star Magpie Nick Daicos late in his side’s win over North Melbourne is evidence of a “superstar tax” from the umpires.

Daicos was huge in the second half as Collingwood came from 54 points down early in the third term to down the Roos by a solitary point. Still only 21 years old, Daicos finished with game highs in contested possessions (18) and score involvements (10) to drag his side back into it.

With the Pies holding a two-point lead late, Daicos swooped on a loose ball, took on a Cam Zurhaar tackle and replays suggested the son-of-a-gun didn’t get a proper handball away.

It was a defining moment with 2:45 left on the clock.

“Nick Daicos is umpired differently,” Cornes declared on SEN Breakfast.

“There is undoubtedly a superstar tax when it comes to umpiring. I’ve had this theory for a number of years now, ever since I was playing, because the best players in the game are umpired differently.

“This isn’t a knock on Nick, it’s a knock on how he’s adjudicated. He gets more favourable treatment from the umpires if there is a 50/50 call, more often than not he gets the benefit of that call.

“The one late yesterday is clearly holding the ball inside forward 50. If that is any other player, who is not a superstar, that free kick is paid against him.”

Daicos finished with six free kicks for from the clash and only gave one away. Collingwood won the free kick count 24-14 on the day.

It wasn’t the only contentious decision the Magpies got away with late. North Melbourne’s Bailey Scott marked 70 metres from goal with 43 seconds on the clock and then watched Magpies Steele Sidebottom and Beau McCreery run straight over the mark.

Given those two came from outside the marking contest, Scott should have been awarded a 50-metre penalty and given a set shot to win the game.

Nevertheless, the Pies claimed their 8th win of the season with the come-from-behind triumph, their 4th win by a single figure margin in 2024.