In a dramatic turn of events in the AFL, North Melbourne has instituted a media ban on commentator Kane Cornes following his critical remarks about young stars Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin. The controversy erupted after Cornes accused Sheezel of engaging in what he termed "stat-padding" during a recent match against Port Adelaide, where Sheezel was the leading possession getter with 30 touches but only contributed one score involvement. This sparked a fierce debate among pundits and fans alike.
During an episode of Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters, Cornes expressed concern over Sheezel's performance, stating, "I don’t know if he did have a better game. 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." Cornes highlighted that while Sheezel averages 29.7 disposals per game, he only has 4.9 score involvements, a statistic that raised eyebrows.
North Melbourne’s football boss, Todd Viney, responded to Cornes’ comments, labeling them as "vindictive, bullying behaviour." He announced the ban on April 30, 2025, just ahead of a press conference with coach Alastair Clarkson, stating, "Over my short time at the club, there’s been some real personal attacks on the club, vindictive attacks that we feel have been unwarranted. We believe some of the commentary from Kane, particularly earlier this week with a couple of our players, overstepped the line." Viney emphasized that while the club welcomes balanced critiques, personal attacks would not be tolerated.
The fallout from this ban raises questions about how North Melbourne will be covered moving forward. Scott Gullen from the Herald Sun pointed out that the Kangaroos are likely to face scheduling challenges with Channel 7, the network that broadcasts their games. He noted, "Being the free-to-air broadcaster, Seven has a big say on where matches will fall over the last couple of months of the season. So on top of the Roos most likely not being in finals contention come July, there will now be some Cornes media ban anger thrown into the equation when TV slots are being decided." This could result in North Melbourne receiving less favorable time slots, potentially relegating them to the "Sunday afternoon graveyard shift" for their games.
As North Melbourne prepares to face Essendon on May 1, 2025, they will do so without key players George Wardlaw and Paul Curtis, the latter having been suspended for a tackle that left an opponent concussed. The absence of these players adds to the pressure on the team, which has struggled this season, currently sitting second last on the AFL ladder with just one win.
In light of the ban on Cornes, Matthew Lloyd, a former player and commentator, suggested that North Melbourne should have focused on improving their game rather than engaging in a public dispute. Lloyd remarked, "I think with Kane that's what he is... 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 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, for his part, has not shied away from his criticisms. He reiterated his stance on social media, stating, "Essentially I had some comments about one of their gun players, Harry Sheezel, who I've said a number of times I really rate. 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." Cornes’ comments have ignited a firestorm of debate among fans and pundits, with many weighing in on whether his critiques are justified or overly harsh.
As the Kangaroos gear up for their clash against Essendon, the focus will not only be on the game itself but also on how this media ban will affect their public perception and coverage. The tension between the club and Cornes highlights the often fraught relationship between sports teams and the media, particularly when criticism crosses the line into personal attacks.
With both teams facing their own challenges, the upcoming match promises to be a pivotal moment for North Melbourne as they seek to break their five-game losing streak. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Kangaroos can rally together and put the controversy behind them, or if the distractions will hinder their performance on the field.
In conclusion, the situation surrounding Kane Cornes and North Melbourne continues to develop, with implications for both the team's media coverage and their performance in the AFL. As they prepare for a critical match against Essendon, the Kangaroos will need to focus on their game while navigating the fallout from this ongoing saga.
