Cornes says 'poorly advised' Kangaroos are 'running away' from reality as Clarkson fires back

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has fired back at controversial commentator Kane Cornes and backed his club's decision to ban the TV pundit from speaking to the Kangaroos.

But Cornes has doubled down on his stance that comments made about the club and its players were warranted, particularly after suffering a seventh loss in eight games on Thursday night.

Cornes - a former Port Adelaide premiership player who's now a divisive analyst on AFL programs at various outlets - has been barred from speaking to Kangaroos staff or players, or entering the team's dressing rooms on game day.

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The club took exception to criticism of players Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin, and more broadly of North Melbourne in general which has been one of the worst performing teams in the AFL for a number of seasons.

Cornes was told by host broadcaster Seven that he would not be interviewing Clarkson during Thursday's game against Essendon.

"I would have loved the opportunity to go in there and I think it's unfortunate that the North fans don't get to hear the responses to some of that," Cornes said on Seven on Thursday night.

"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 disappointed and I think they've been poorly advised in this.

"I think that was all reasonably strong criticism, but I think it was fair.

"This is a club that's won nine games in the last four seasons, so they would understand that with this game and with underperformance, comes some strong scrutiny.

"That's what they've received and it's a little bit disappointing that they've taken this route because I think as a club, they need to stand up and answer some hard questions.

"I think that's what drives the opinion in this game and I think North would expect that and I'm disappointed they weren't up for that.

"But it may have been a tactic for tonight."

If it was a tactic to help the Kangaroos win the game, it did not work. They fell to the Bombers by three points despite a spirited second half comeback.

Before the game, Clarkson appeared on Seven and took the opportunity to hit back at Cornes.

"They say those that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, so I know a little bit about Kane's history," he said.

"Some of the things he was saying about Jy and Sheez, I just think – especially from the host broadcaster and who is covering this game tonight – this isn't shared across the football world, but I've got a view there should be a relatively good balance.

"Particularly when you're talking 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.

"When the line gets crossed, we know that there's critique in the game, we've been copping it for 20 years. You know, especially as a coach, when these things happen we just have to cop it on the chin.

"I think it's a good indication of our stability as a football club. This was a club decision from the board right through to the football department that we need to look after our people and we just think it was untoward."

Cornes has also reportedly been banned by the Western Bulldogs.

He worked for Nine and appeared on AFL panel show Footy Classified up until the end of last season.