AFL legend Matthew Lloyd has urged North Melbourne to focus on football after the club blacklisted controversial commentator Kane Cornes this week.
The belief at Arden St is that Channel 7 identity Cornes ‘bullied’ young gun Harry Sheezel and they needed to make a stand.
Kangaroos footy boss Todd Viney told reporters the outspoken Cornes has been ‘personal and vindictive’ in his analysis and ‘overstepped the line’ when critiquing Sheezel and captain Jy Simpkin this week.
As a result, the club has banned Cornes from talking to coach Alastair Clarkson or the playing group ahead of and during Thursday’s game against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.
But Lloyd – who previously worked with Cornes on Nine’s Footy Classified – says the Kangaroos should focus on beating the Bombers.
‘I think with Kane….that’s what he is,’ Lloyd told Today on Thursday morning.
AFL legend Matthew Lloyd has urged North Melbourne to focus on football after the club blacklisted controversial commentator Kane Cornes
The belief at Arden St is that Cornes’ (pictured, middle) analysis is often ‘vindictive’ – and they needed to make a stand
‘(The Kangaroos) feel that he’s been at them for two and a half years and it’s become a little bit personal with his attacks on the club.
‘I probably wouldn’t have gone down that track (if I was) North Melbourne because it only puts more pressure on them.
‘I would have put my head down, tried to win a game of footy and moved on, because unfortunately they haven’t won too many games in many years which brings a lot of pressure onto them.
‘I can understand both sides of it – they are sick and tired of Kane and the way he’s gone at the club, but that’s what Kane is and it’s why he’s been pretty good in the media over many years.’
The bitterness North Melbourne feel towards Cornes can be traced back to president Sonja Hood’s confirming Alastair Clarkson was the club’s new coach in August of 2022.
Cornes was critical of the manner in which Clarkson was announced – and was often scathing in his criticism of midfielder Jason Horne-Francis, who only spent one season with the club before joining Port Adelaide in 2023.
Horne-Francis was the number one pick in the draft – but requested a trade from Arden St.
He the signed a six-year deal with the Power, keeping him at the club until 2028.
North Melbourne AFL star Harry Sheezel (pictured, with partner Mischa Rajch) was slammed by Seven commentator Kane Cornes this week
Cornes’s fellow commentators including Luke Hodge (pictured right) felt the outspoken identity ‘crossed a line’
Sheezel (pictured, playing for Kangaroos) is rated one of the best young talents in the game
Meanwhile, Cornes isn’t concerned by being blacklisted, accusing Clarkson of ‘running away from criticism.’
‘The Alastair Clarkson they (Kangaroos) thought they were getting was the Hawthorn version of Alastair Clarkson, where he was strong enough and brave enough to front up and answer that type of criticism face-to-face and man-to-man,’ Cornes said on Seven News on Wednesday.
‘For him to run away from criticism like this, and essentially not be brave enough to answer it face-to-face with me in the change room is the most disappointing thing.’
Clarkson feels Cornes is too blunt and should ‘know better.’
‘There’s also a point in time where empathy and compassion needs to be given pretty strong consideration, particularly by guys that have played the game at the top level and know better,’ Clarkson said.
‘Because they’ve all been in exactly the same position as all the players. There’s a time where you do draw a line in the sand.’
Earlier this week, Cornes accused Kangaroos star Sheezel of ‘stat-padding’ and ‘getting his possessions in non-damaging areas’ before turning his attention to Simpkin.
He was stunned to hear the North Melbourne skipper was sledging Port Adelaide players in round seven action, pointing out the midfielder has only ‘won 16 games in six years.’
‘He was on the lip all day. This is a captain who can’t even play in his own midfield, playing half-forward,’ Cornes said.
‘He was extremely vocal. ‘And just repeating, he’s won 16 games in six years.
‘I would be trying to turn this footy club around before I start mouthing off and throwing my weight around.’
