Time On: AFL Gather Round controversy blows up over Jason Horne-Francis treatment

Gather Round started as a media love-in but by Monday a war of words had erupted over the coverage of Power young gun Jason Horne-Francis.

Time On is your Monday wrap-up of all the footy gossip and banter from the weekend, coming to you from the (temporary) epicentre of footy — Adelaide.

It all started as a media love-in with the big names converging on Adelaide.

But when Port coach Ken Hinkley fired up about the treatment of Jason Horne-Francis the blowtorch turned to one of the city’s favourite sons — Kane Cornes.

His own colleagues gave him a whack after he said on the Sunday Footy Show that people booing the teenager were “disgraceful” and that the former No.1 pick had been struggling under the weight of attention since crossing from North.

Cornes’ SEN co-host David King said it was Cornes himself putting the issue on the radar.

“What were the origins of this? You’ve got to cut to the chase. Kane Cornes put this on the radar with the rubbish about ice baths, that he was sacked from North Melbourne for not taking an ice bath,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

Kane Cornes. Picture: Supplied

Nathan Buckley. Picture: Getty Images

“And that flared the nostrils of the North Melbourne fans, and they’ve been going backwards and forth at each other for six months, and unfortunately Jason Horne-Francis has been the sole victim in all of this.”

On radio Monday morning, Nathan Buckley shared his view while in the co-hosting chair with Cornes, saying both Cornes and King had inflamed the situation.

“It shouldn’t have anything to do with the media or the personalities within it,” Buckley said on SEN Breakfast.

“It shouldn’t have anything to do with you. It shouldn’t have anything to do with Kingy, who has North Melbourne blood coursing through his veins.

“And you, who has Port Adelaide blood coursing through your veins. In the end you’re going to be biased towards the connections you have.

“And in between it all, you have this kid, who Ken Hinkley rightfully says has every right to develop and grow as a footballer and in his own time and in his own way.”

Cornes hit back at King’s comments.

“Very selective there from Kingy,” he said.

“From the moment Jason Horne-Francis requested a trade, there were a lot of North Melbourne fans calling him a mumma’s boy. And doing all of that. His former teammates, including Cameron Zurhaar were very critical on social media about the fire sale and all of that before I said anything about an ice bath.”

As all three would say, it is an opinion business.

Stars gather for round

Gather Round wasn’t only for homegrown footy fans with some famous sportsmen from abroad in the crowd.

On Thursday night three-time Super Bowl champion Lonie Paxton was at Adelaide Oval while on Sunday night top LIV golfers Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen were in the stands ahead of this weekend’s tournament.

Paxton was a guest speaker for an AFL conference about life after sport.

“I’ve been to Melbourne five or six times, I love footy and respect the athleticism,’’ he said.

“The love for the game and the culture reminds me a lot of American sport. I’m friends with (Crows star) Rory Sloane who is from here and I’ve been sharing my experience as a former athlete and starting your journey of thinking about your career coming to an end so you don’t get hit with a brick when it ends.”

There were more familiar faces in the crowd for Friday night’s game between Richmond and Sydney.

Travis Head and wife Jess Davies celebrating their nuptials.

Bonnie Paine and Becky Boston at Travis Head's wedding.

Australian cricketers Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon and their wives Becky and Emma were sitting with recently retired wicketkeeper Tim Paine and his wife, Bonnie.

They were all in Adelaide to attend the wedding on Saturday of batsman Travis Head and his partner Jess Davies.

It’s been a big few weeks for Lyon who made the trip to Melbourne to attend the Grand Prix which was on his bucket list. He and captain Cummins will soon head off to England for the Ashes.

Lavish launch

The AFL’s club heavyweights and chief executive candidates-in-waiting gathered for a lavish launch dinner at Penfold’s Magill Estate in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

There was a slight air of tension in the room after it emerged that day there was a fresh CEO contender in Kylie Watson-Wheeler, who was a late inclusion to the guest list.

As they all sat down for a three course meal with offers of top wine and Grange, plus entertainment from Guy Sebastian, Goyder was handed the microphone by host Hamish McLachlan. He made light reference to Gill McLachlan’s CEO position, saying it’s up there with Prime Minister as the best job in Australia.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas at Adelaide Oval in the lead up to Gather Round. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“People were talking about whether we will make an announcement on the AFL CEO this weekend or some time in the next decade or two,” Goyder said to a few chuckles.

“I started thinking the Premier is having a go at me on this. I think (he played) 175 games with Uni Blacks and Gill played 200 games for Uni Blues, Gill reckons he’s a better player. They’re both tall, they’re both articulate, they’re both persuasive, dogged, determined, resilient. Premier, I reckon there’s only two better jobs in Australia than yours, one of them I don’t think Albo’s going to give up, so if you want to talk to me after today...”

Goyder then introduced South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas to address the 300 guests.

Brian Taylor in his shed.

Premier’s shed envy

Premier Malinauskas was everywhere, appearing on shows, at fan sites, events and hosting a media lunch on Thursday.

He has won widespread praise for his footy passion but he outed himself as having another passion — for sheds.

Malinauskas introduced himself to Channel 7’s top commentator Brian Taylor and told him he has shed envy of BT’s set up at his home in Lorne.

Taylor was chuffed by the high praise, saying sometimes he just liked to stand in his shed and admire it.

Stone stuns

Julie Stone sang Eye of the Tiger. Picture: Ian Currie

Gill McLachlan was charmed by Delta Goodrem during last year’s finals series.

Before the first game on Thursday night the outgoing CEO was taken aback by the stunning performance Julia Stone delivered with her own rendition of Eye of the Tiger.

“Julia Stone that was spectacular, that was the best Eye of the Tiger I’ve ever heard,’’ McLachlan began his welcome speech.

Hutchy’s big buy out

As McLachlan proudly announced that all matches were almost sold out, Craig Hutchison’s innovative mind got thinking.

McLachlan said there were around 1000 tickets left for the Richmond-Sydney match so the SEN boss decided to purchase them.

He gave them away to listeners all day on Friday with the help of Maccas.