AFL legend Matthew Lloyd says North Melbourne should have focused on winning a game of football rather than picking a fight with controversial commentator Kane Cornes this week.
The one-win, 17th-placed club made the sensational move of banning Cornes – formerly a Nine employee but now with Seven – from speaking to the coach or players during Thursday’s broadcast of the game against Essendon.
Kangaroos footy boss Todd Viney took exception to comments made by the outspoken Port Adelaide great about players Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin following their loss to the Power at the weekend.
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“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 told media on Wednesday.
“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.
Kane Cornes. Nine
“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.
“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 is a divisive figure in the AFL world due to his to-the-point and often negative commentary about clubs and players.
But Lloyd – who until recently sat side by side with Cornes on Nine’s Footy Classified – says the Kangaroos have made a mistake in blacklisting him.
“I think with Kane that’s what he is,” Lloyd told Today on Thursday morning..
“When he was here, with Nine, we’re not a host broadcaster so he was probably able to be a bit more open with what he was doing, but now he’s moved over to Seven… he has to deal with a lot of clubs and a lot of coaches.
Matthew Lloyd reacts to the Kane Cornes vs Kangaroos stoush. Nine
“(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 a lot 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.”
Cornes and Luke Hodge were set to interview coach Alastair Clarkson in the North Melbourne sheds prior to Thursday night’s game.
He didn’t seem overly fazed by the ban when he posted a video to social media on Wednesday.
“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.
Harry Sheezel of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal. Getty
“They are just not using him in the right way and I feel like he’s stat padding, getting his possessions in non-damaging areas and North Melbourne have to challenge him to win his footy in better spots 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 all of the struggles at North Melbourne and the areas I’ve been strong on.
“Banned from the North Melbourne rooms… let’s see if North Melbourne can chalk up their second win of the year, (I) look forward to it.”
Cornes previously worked for Nine. He now appears on Seven and on SEN radio.
The Kangaroos lost to Port Adelaide in round seven and next face the Bombers on Thursday.
They have won just one game this season and sit second last on the AFL ladder.
