North Melbourne to blacklist Kane Cornes after TV criticism of Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin

North Melbourne has black-listed controversial AFL media figure Kane Cornes over repeated criticism it says is “bullying”. Watch Cornes’ response here.

North Melbourne has banned former player and media personality Kane Cornes, accusing the 300-gamer of “bullying behaviour” and “vindictive attacks” on the club and its players.

Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney sensationally revealed on Wednesday morning that the club had knocked back a request for Cornes to be part of an interview with coach Alastair Clarkson as part of Thursday night’s game.

“We received a request from Channel 7, for Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge to come and do an interview with our coach,” Viney said.

“But on the back of some commentary that we feel has been … over two and a half years there’s been some personal attacks on the club and vindictive attacks that we feel have been unwarranted.

Kane Cornes on The Agenda Setters.

Cornes took aim at Harry Sheezel. Picture: Michael Klein

“We understand the role of the media … but we believe some of the commentary from Kane and particularly earlier this week with a couple of our players in Jy Simpkin and Sheezel overstepped the line, was inappropriate, targeted, vindictive, bullying behaviour that we as a club won’t stand for.

“We hope for balanced critique of our performances, but when it starts to overstep the line and become personal, it’s my responsibility and the club’s responsibility to look after our people.

Harry Sheezel responds to Kane Cornes

“Therefore Channel 7, Luke Hodge and whoever else they’d like to present to have the conversation with Clarko, it’s still open, but until we start hearing some more respectful dialogue from Kane around our people and our club, we won’t be engaging with him on any of his media channels.”

Cornes hit back on Wednesday on his personal Instagram account.

“This morning I got a phone call from Dan, my producer on Thursday night footy,” he said.

“We had organised an interview (with Clarkson) ... prior to tomorrow night’s game.

“I just found out that’s not going to be happening.

“What are my thoughts? Banned from the North Melbourne rooms because essentially I had some comments about one of their gun players Harry Sheezel who I’ve said a number of times that I really rate, but that they’re not really using him in the right way.

“I feel like he’s stat-padding and getting his possessions in non-damaging areas and that North Melbourne have to really challenge him to win his footy in better spots and and be more impactful.

“It is strange that Clarko with all his experience wasn’t able to answer some of those questions as well as the struggles at North Melbourne and the areas that I’ve been strong on with their lack of defensive action as well.

“But no, banned from the North Melbourne rooms.”

Cornes said “how we cover that game” will be interesting.

“Let’s see if North Melbourne can chalk up their second win of the year. Look forward to it,” he said.

Sheezel said on Wednesday that Cornes had gone “maybe a little too far with some of the terms he used”, particularly the allegation of “stat-padding”.

“I do agree maybe I could have more impact on games, but at the end of the day, I’m playing the role that my coaches have assigned for me ... on the ‘stat-padding’ side that he said, I don’t believe that,” the rising star said on SEN.

“The coaches want the ball in my hand - they want me getting more uncontested ball, not less of it. They want me in time and space to use my skills. Maybe I could be more damaging with those disposals and I’m always looking at that.

“Maybe that part of it was harsh, but I do understand what he was saying.”

Sheezel said he had received overwhelming support in the wake of the former Power player’s criticism.

“I’m an AFL footballer, I’ve signed up for all of the scrutiny that comes with it. I wish it hadn’t blown out as much as it has - it’s become a pretty spoken-about topic the last couple of days, which I’d just prefer it not to be, but that’s the nature of it.

“Hopefully I can get back to playing my best football and it can just blow over.”

Earlier this week, Cornes directed scathing criticism at Simpkin, who he claimed was “mouthing off” towards Port Adelaide last weekend, and Sheezel who he accused of “stat-padding”.

“I’m actually a little bit concerned. I’ve spoken about this probably for the last month with Harry Sheezel,” he said on Channel 7 on Monday.

“So let’s look at some of the numbers in terms of his ball-winning ability. He’s fourth in the comp for disposals, yet he’s 17th for score involvements. ‘Sheezey ball’ is what I’m calling it.

“Forget stat-padding. He is getting ‘the Sheezeys.’ He is not on Arden St, he is on Sheezey St.”

Cornes also criticised Jy Simpkin.

He also last week accused the club of “arrogant” social media posts, having long been a vocal critic of a number of the club’s off-field strategic moves, club hierarchy and coach Alastair Clarkson on a number of occasions.

Viney said he had not spoken with Cornes who “isn’t welcome” but that talks with Channel 7 have occurred.

He said he didn’t expect an apology.

“That’s up to Kane. I’m not holding my breath on an apology. We understand Kane’s role in the media … but it’s important that we say enough is enough and we won’t be bullied on that stuff,” Viney said.

“We’ll stick up for (our people) and we think it’s just crossed the line,”

Viney said the club had considered challenging Paul Curtis’ three-match ban but given the short turnaround until tomorrow night’s clash with Essendon and his feeling there was “zero to no chance of winning”, they opted against it.

He said the club felt it was “disappointing he’s been tarnished”.

Originally published as North Melbourne to blacklist Kane Cornes after TV criticism of Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin