North Melbourne has refused Channel 7’s interview requests involving Kane Cornes, following the former player’s sharp criticism of Kangaroos stars Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin after the team’s narrow loss to Port Adelaide.
Cornes, a former Port Adelaide player, singled out Sheezel for gathering “easy touches” that lacked impact and criticized co-captain Simpkin for being overly vocal during the match. “He was on the lip all day,” Cornes remarked, adding, “This is a captain who can’t even play in his own midfield, playing at half-forward.” He also questioned Simpkin’s behavior given North Melbourne’s poor performance record, noting he had “won 16 games in six years.”
In response, Kangaroos football boss Todd Viney said the club had rejected Channel 7’s request for Cornes and Luke Hodge to interview coach Alastair Clarkson, citing Cornes’s ongoing negative commentary. “Over two and a half years, there have been personal and vindictive attacks we feel are unwarranted,” Viney stated.
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He further described Cornes’s recent comments as “inappropriate, targeted, vindictive, bullying behaviour,” stressing that the club must protect its players. “We hope for balanced critique,” Viney said, “but when it becomes personal, it’s our responsibility to look after our people.”
Viney clarified that North Melbourne remains open to speaking with Channel 7 and Hodge, but not with Cornes unless there’s a shift to more respectful commentary.
Cornes responded via Instagram, posting a video from an airport and confirming there had been an agreement for an interview with Clarkson before the game. He questioned why Clarkson, with his experience, wouldn’t address questions about the use of Sheezel on the field. Cornes concluded with a jab: “Let’s see if North Melbourne can chalk up their second win of the year.”
North Melbourne currently sits second-last on the AFL ladder, with only one win, and is set to play a rare Thursday night prime-time game against Essendon at Docklands.
