North Melbourne has called out media personality and former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes for "inappropriate, targeted, vindictive, bullying behaviour" on the club and its players.
On Monday night's episode ofย Channel 7's The Agenda Setters, Cornes shone the spotlight on Kangaroos youngster Harry Sheezel, suggesting that he racks up cheap touches and has little to no impact on the game.
Captain Jy Simpkin was also in the firing line, with the former Port Adelaide player saying he had been vocal during the most recent loss to the Power.
In response to the latest criticism of the club, North Melbourne GM of Football Todd Viney revealed that they have denied a request from broadcasterย Channel 7 for a pre-game interview with Cornes and Alastair Clarkson.
"We received a request from Channel 7, for Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge to come and do an interview with our coach," Viney said on Thursday.
"But on the back of some commentary that we feel has been โฆ over two and a half years, there's been some personal attacks on the club and vindictive attacks that we feel have been unwarranted.
"We understand the role of the media to promote our game, but we believe Kane Cornes over the last week has overstepped the line.
"Inappropriate, targeted, vindictive, bullying behaviour that we won't stand for. We won't be engaging with him on any of his platforms."
Viney spoke on behalf of the club and acknowledged the role the media has in the game, but proposed it had gone too far, and that some of the players were "disappointed".
"We're happy for critique of our performances, but we'll look after our people - we won't be intimidated and bullied," Viney said.
"I've had dialogue with our players and received their feedback. They were disappointed with the commentary (around Sheezel and Simpkin). But it isn't just that. This has gone on for some time."
Viney continued saying that Cornes won't have access to North Melbourne people or its players until "we start hearing some more respectful dialogue from Kane around our people and our club".
Sheezel spoke in the aftermath of Viney's comments onย SEN.
"It's been a big couple of days after what Kane said," Sheezel said.
"To be honest, Kane is entitled to his opinion at the end of the day, it's his role in the media. I can't control that. Maybe it overstepped the boundary a bit.
"On the stat-padding side, I don't believe in that.
"I wish it hadn't blown up into what it has, but that's the nature of it, I just hope I can get back to my football."
Cornes responded to his media ban at North Melbourne.
View this post on Instagram
"This morning I got a phone call from Dan, my producer on Thursday night footy," Cornesย 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 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."
