Hutchy blames Clarko for North Melbourne’s ‘embarrassing’ Kane Cornes ban

One of the AFL’s most outspoken commentators has taken a big swing at North Melbourne and laid the blame over its Kane Cornes move.

Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson have slammed North Melbourne’s “embarrassing” move to block Kane Cornes from speaking to the AFL club.

The battling Kangaroos had a rare night in the sport’s spotlight last Thursday with its stand-alone clash with the Bombers at Marvel Stadium.

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But a huge portion of the publicity for the game revolved around North’s move to ban Cornes from its rooms and deny a Channel 7 request for him to interview coach Alastair Clarkson.

The Roos made the extraordinary move after the club accused the polarising media personality of “bullying behaviour” and “vindictive attacks” on the club and its players.

Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney criticised Cornes’ media commentary at a press conference last Wednesday, with the ex-Port Adelaide player’s comments on Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin among the issues the club took exception with.

The panel on The Agenda Setters on Monday night. Photo: X

Speaking alongside Cornes, Wilson and Nick Riewoldt on The Agenda Setters on Monday night, Hutchison didn’t hold back in his assessment of the move, pointing the finger of blame square on North’s head coach.

“I thought it was really embarrassing from North Melbourne,” he said.

“It showed a lack of leadership, it showed they are subservient to the coach Alastair Clarkson when his nose is out of joint.

“It showed where the balance of power is there at North.

Wilson replied: “They’ve gone out of their way to say this had nothing to do with Alastair Clarkson, that that is not true.”

Watch Hutchison’s thoughts in the video player above

Hutchison believes Alastair Clarkson is behind the ban. (Photo by Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Harry Sheezel (left) has been one of Cornes’ main targets for criticism. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hutchy then shot back: “And that’s entirely wrong. This was an Alastair led initiative behind the scenes.

“Todd Viney is rowing the company boat on Alastair’s behalf too often, too regularly.

“And this was their one shot at a free-to-air, Thursday night audience, for their own sponsors, for their own fans.

“They did a press conference without engaging the broadcaster who pays over a hundred million dollars into the sport.

“I just thought it was poor from North. Poor.

“Their fight for television airtime didn’t get any easier.”

Clarkson was asked in his post-match press conference about when he had told the playing group about the move and replied that he hadn’t spoken to the team about Cornes.

Kane Cornes (left) discussing the ban last Thursday night. Photo: Channel 7

Wilson sided with Hutchison and wondered what the move could mean for the industry moving forward.

“I disagree with a lot of what Kane says. I don’t like the way he’s gone after (North president) Sonja Hood,” Wilson said.

“But I don’t think this is the way to go about it.

“It’s sort of a crazy thing to do really and sets a bit of a dangerous precedent. I don’t like it.”

Channel 7 immediately addressed the controversy on its broadcast of last Thursday night’s game, which Essendon won by three points.

The station showed a series of clips showing Cornes’ strong North criticism, including that Clarkson was the wrong fit to coach the club, it had overpaid players and his demand to see improvement from the AFL battlers.

Asked pre-game whether he was surprised at being shut out by the club, Cornes replied: “I’m not surprised.

“I would have loved the opportunity to go in there and I think it’s unfortunate that the North fans don’t get to hear the responses to some of that.

“And I think strong clubs stand up in times of need and when times are tough.

“It’s very easy to run away so I’m disappointed and I think they’ve been poorly advised in this.”

There was a mixed response to Hutchison’s criticism on social media.

An X account called Schimmelboner wrote: “Absolutely pathetic by North Melbourne. This club is the meaning of woke. Imagine being worried about what Kane Cornes thinks. Absolutely pathetic.”

The Kangaroos have won just one game so far in 2025. Photo: Michael Klein

Ross MacKay took a different view, tweeting: “Spare me Channel 7. I’m not even a North supporter but the way Kane goes after their players and sheezel who is what, 20/21? It’s pathetic. I think Kane has kids … when they enter the workplace I suspect he will begin to back off and have a different perspective.”

Dav offered: “Let me play a scenario for you Hutchy. As a club how would you feel after he paid out on them all week, then be like welcome into our rooms Kane and treat him with respect. Bad take here from Hutchy, North (sticking) up for their own.”

It’s not known how long the club’s ban will be in place, with Cornes stating last week he didn’t regret his comments and had no plans to change his ways.

The one-win Kangaroos, who are ahead of only the winless Eagles on the AFL ladder, return to the field against reigning premier Brisbane in Hobart on Sunday afternoon.

Originally published as Hutchy blames Clarko for North Melbourne’s ‘embarrassing’ Kane Cornes ban