Essendon v North Melbourne: Alastair Clarkson says decision to ban Kane Cornes made by Kangaroos board

Alastair Clarkson has poured more fuel on the fire in the ongoing feud between North and Kane Cornes in the pre-match interview the Channel 7 commentator was banned from by the Roos.

Speaking to his former charge Luke Hodge, Clarkson revealed the decision to ban Cornes was made at the highest level of the club as he had a dig at Cornes.

“They say those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, I know a little bit about Kane’s history,” Clarkson joked.

“Some of the things he was saying about Jy and Sheez … especially from the host broadcaster. This isn’t shared across the football world, but I believe there needs to be a balance particularly when you’re talking about the players. They’re the product of the game.

“When the line gets crossed, I’ve been coping with it for 20 years, especially as the coach. When these type of things happen you have to really cop it on the chin but I think it’s an indication of our stability as a club.

“This is a club decision from the board right through to the football department with Todd (Viney) heading it up that we need to look at our people. We thought it was untoward.”

Clarkson said he was not sure if Cornes would change his tact after the fallout.

“That will be up to Kane about how he goes about it. They’ve got the eruption they’ve wanted but we need to draw a line in the sand about what we accept as a footy club,” he said.

Cornes said the club had been poorly advised in banning him and if he thought his criticism was having a serious adverse effect on a player he would tone it down.

“I think nothing I have said there was personal, like I wasn’t questioning a player’s courage or preparation,” he said.

Cornes said his comments on Harry Sheezel, who he accused of racking up cheap possessions and dubbed the behaviour “Sheezball,” were simply about “where he was winning his possessions and what he was doing with them.”

He has been highly critical of how Clarkson has used Sheezel on the field.

“You’re always considered, nothing you say is off the cuff,” Cornes said.

“I’ve always had strong opinions and will not back away from that.

“I think we all do. I think I have said repeatedly a number of times how much I do rate him as a player.

“I just don’t think they’re using him to his maximum potential. So, where he lines up with Curtis out of the side, is it more forward?

“I hope it is. I hope he’s kicking the ball more so in the forward half, than the back half, but that is up to Clarko to challenge him, and that was the crux of the discussion we had this week.”