North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says it is Kane Cornes’ choice whether their media ban changes his perspective on the struggling AFL club. Clarkson’s former Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge conducted Channel 7’s pre-match interview solo on Thursday night after the Kangaroos blacklisted Cornes in the wake of his criticism on captain Jy Simpkin and young star Harry Sheezel. Cornes reiterated “the crux” of his opinion related to how Clarkson is using and challenging Sheezel and was not personal, but accepted his words can impact players. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “With under-performance comes some strong scrutiny. That’s what they’ve received,” Cornes said on the pre-game coverage. “It’s a little bit disappointing that they’ve taken this route because as a club they need to stand up and answer some hard questions.” He said he was not surprised by the ban and “would have loved the opportunity” to ask questions of Clarkson directly. “I think it’s unfortunate that North fans don’t get to hear the responses to some of that,” Cornes said. “I think strong clubs stand up in times of need and when times are tough. It’s very easy to run away so I’m disappointing. I think they’ve been poorly advised in this.” Head here to watch Essendon v North Melbourne live and free on 7plus Sport Cornes wants to see North put Sheezel in position to make more impact on the scoreboard. Credit: AAP Nick Riewoldt, who said during the week that Cornes was being harsh on Sheezel, asked if he was concerned about how players react to the criticism. “I think nothing that I said was personal — I wasn’t questioning a player’s courage or their preparation,” Cornes said, saying the Sheezel focus was on his match play. “I think you’re always considered (in your opinions). You’ve sat in those production meetings — nothing you say (on air) is off the cuff. You don’t say anything you don’t believe in, you hope you’ve got the information to back it up. “I’m more than happy to have debate, I think that’s what drives opinion in this game.” Riewoldt praised Sheezel’s “mature” response but Luke Hodge then asked if Cornes would pull back if he found out players were being affected mentally. “I think that’s fair, and I’ve done that in the past. A lot of players have put their hands up and said I’m struggling mentally,” Cornes said. “Absolutely you would then really reconsider what you are saying when players have asked for help and are doing it tough, which players are more open to doing now. “I was (affected in my career) and I’ve spoken openly about that. You try and keep it footy related, I’ve always had strong opinions and I’m not going to back away from that. “You reflect on when you were a player and I would’ve handled things differently, absolutely, but it is a big game. “These players are well rewarded for it and I think the supporters demand success and when you haven’t had for a long time then hard questions need to be asked.” Clarkson’s Arden St rebuild is ongoing. Credit: AAP The pre-recorded interview between Hodge and Clarkson began with the coach saying “those that live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”. “I know a little bit about Kane’s history,” Clarkson said. “This isn’t shared across the football world but I have a view that needs to be a good balance, particularly when you talk about the players. “They’re the product of the game, they’re the guys on the field and in the trenches with their mates trying to fight for their side, and when the line gets crossed... “We know there’s critique in the game, I’ve been copping 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.” Hodge asked: “As far as making him react, is this the outcome to make him go a bit easier or do you reckon this is going to give more ammunition to go back at your players and the club?” Clarkson replied: “Well that’ll be up to Kane to work out how he goes about it.” The four-time premiership coach conceded there is a part of him thinking “you’ve done exactly what Kane and Channel 7 would want”. “That’s all OK but we need to draw a line in the sand in terms of what we’ll accept as a footy club.” Speaking after the interview, Hodge said he now wanted to see how his former coach leads his Kangaroos to respond. “This could be a Clarko versus everyone else — he’s done that pretty well in the past successfully,” he said. Cornes agreed he wanted Sheezel to have a big night, potentially filling the void in midfield with Paul Curtis controversially banned for three matches. But the game got off to a tough start for North when a centre-square turnover led to Essendon’s Archie Perkins marking inside 50 just 12 seconds into the game and converting for a goal.