Source :- THE AGE NEWS
By Andrew Wu
North Melbourne have placed a media ban on Kane Cornes over what they feel are his “personal and vindictive” attacks about their players and the club.
North footy boss Todd Viney made the sensational revelation on Wednesday morning after Cornes’ stinging criticism this week of skipper Jy Simpkin and young gun Harry Sheezel after the Kangaroos’ loss to Port Adelaide.
Kane Cornes has been banned by the Roos.Credit: ninevms
The club knocked back a request from Seven for Cornes to be part of a pre-game interview with coach Alastair Clarkson on Thursday night before North’s clash with Essendon and will not take part in any of the outspoken pundit’s wide network of shows on TV and radio.
“On the back of some commentary that we feel over my short time here, there’s been some real personal attacks on the club, vindictive attacks that we feel that have been unwarranted,” Viney said.
“We understand the role of the media and our job to work with the media to promote our game and to inform our members on stuff that’s going on, we believe some of the commentary from Kane, particularly early this week with some of our players, Jy Simpkin and Harry Sheezel overstepped the line – inappropriate, targeted, vindictive bullying behaviour that we as a club won’t stand for.
“We’re open to 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.
North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin.Credit: AFL Photos
“Therefore Channel Seven, Luke Hodge and whoever they’d like to present to have a conversation with Clarko is still open but until we feel like there’s a more respectful conversation and dialogue from Kane around our people and club we won’t be engaging with him on any of his media channels.”
Cornes, who was formerly a columnist for The Age, has been contacted for comment.
Seven have been contacted for comment. SEN, on which Cornes also regularly appears, declined to comment.
Cornes did not walk back from his criticism of Sheezel in comments he made on his Instragram account in response to North’s ban on him on Wednesday.
Young Roos gun Harry Sheezel.Credit: Getty Images
“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 I really rate,” Cornes said in a post on his Instagram account.
“They’re just not using him in the right way and that 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 be more impactful.
“So it’s strange that Clarko with all his experience wasn’t able to answer some of these questions as well as all of the struggles at North Melbourne that I’ve been strong on.
“But banned from the North Melbourne rooms? Tune in tomorrow night to see how we cover that game and let’s see if North Melbourne can chalk up their second win of the year.”
Cornes on Monday night accused Sheezel of “stat-padding” and being on “Sheezey Street” for not having impact with his possessions.
“I don’t know if he did have a better game,” Cornes said on Seven’s The Agenda Setters.
“I’m actually a little bit concerned. I’ve spoken about this probably for the last month with Harry Sheezel. 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.
“Thirty touches. One score involvement. Now he may be the least of their problems, but I’m telling you, Clarko has to coach this really hard.
“Get him in the front half of the ground and make his disposals more damaging.”
Cornes was critical of Simpkin, whose bump from behind on Port star Jason Horne-Francis led to a heated exchange between the pair that resulted in a double 50-metre penalty and a goal to North.
“It’s not as if they’re having free rein and letting him [Horne-Francis] do whatever he wants, like the North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin.
“The way that he carried on on the weekend for a player that’s won 16 games in six years … I’m led to believe that he was extremely vocal and mouthing off to the likes that you wouldn’t see from a very, very poor football team.
“He was on the lip all day. This is a captain who can’t even play in his own midfield, playing half-forward.
“I’m just reporting what I’ve heard. He was extremely vocal.
“And just repeating, he’s won 16 games in six years and I’d just be shutting my mouth and trying to turn this footy club around before I start mouthing off and throwing my weight around.”
More to come
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