Kane Cornes has accused North Melbourne of “arrogant” social media behaviour as coach Alastair Clarkson finds himself under increasing pressure amid the team’s lack of progression under his reign.

Two and a half years into his five-year contract at the Roos, and with a litany of first-round draft picks at his disposal, Clarkson’s charges remains in a familiar position at 16th on the ladder with one win from six games to start the 2025 AFL season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kane Cornes calls North Melbourne out for ‘arrogant’ behaviour.

Cornes has been among Clarkson’s harshest critics, calling for evidence of discernible development, particularly in their defensive profile.

The Port Adelaide champion got into a heated debate with Luke Hodge — a three-time premiership captain under Clarkson at the Hawks — on last Tuesday’s episode of The Agenda Setters when he questioned their lack of progress under the champion coach.

Doubling down on Monday night after the Roos’ hapless Good Friday performance against Carlton, Cornes said the evidence is stacking up against Clarkson.

“And it’s not even really about the wins and losses — that is glaring, no doubt about that, and we’re all going to judge it on wins and losses — but it’s about the lack of improvement,” he said on The Agenda Setters.

“That’s why I get alarmed, and that’s what I was trying to say to Hodgey.

“I’m not asking for 12 wins this year, I’m not asking for 10; I’m asking for a better defensive performance that this legendary coach — and he is a legend, and no one will ever take that away from him — has been unable to get this side to give effort.”

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But it was the Roos’ behaviour on social media last week which tipped Cornes over the edge.

Just under two weeks ago, superstar midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke joined Jye Simpkin, Nick Larkey, Tristan Xerri, Cam Zurhaar and Harry Sheezel on a long-term contract at the club, ending months-long speculation surrounding his future as a North Melbourne player.

The Roos celebrated their group of re-signings on social media last Wednesday, posting a graphic of the six players with the cheeky caption: “Is the mass exodus in the room with us right now?”

Two days later, North were mauled once again, this time to the tune of 82 points at the hands of Carlton.

“They’re very arrogant on social media,” Cornes said.

“Now, this just may be the social media person, but this was the tweet they sent out prior to that disaster...

“Well, have you built your long-term future around the right players? Because this was the performance on Friday, and those numbers don’t tell the (full) story.

“Simpkin rarely influences a game; Larkey’s a star so, no criticism there and he had a tough night; Xerri was absolutely monstered by (Tom) De Koning; Zurhaar is nowhere at the moment; Sheezel is stat-padding to the best of them, 13 (disposals) in the last quarter and his disposals just aren’t damaging; and Davies-Uniacke was destroyed by (George) Hewett in a genuine one-on-one matchup, with Hewett best on ground.

“So, you can sing all you like about your arrogance with the players you’ve signed long-term — if they’re the wrong players, then there’s an issue.”

Nick Riewoldt said there needs to be better direction, which falls back on Clarkson as the coach.

“They’re good players, but they’re good players playing like they fear nothing from the senior coach,” he said.

“They don’t fear repercussions from the senior coach for ordinary efforts, particularly defensively.

“The wagons are circling, the noise is getting louder — if you’re going to go down, Clarko, go down swinging. Bring back the punching holes in the wall of (the) coaches’ box.

“The way you did it when you were winning premierships at Hawthorn, I think he’s got that in him, he’s got that hard edge in him — I think he’s got to bring it back.”