GWS thrash North Melbourne as star rookie lands in swinging arm drama

Jason Horne-Francis appeared more than a little frustrated as his North Melbourne side were put to the sword by a fellow struggling club.

Jason Horne-Francis wasn't having a good time. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

North Melbourne have added another sorry chapter to their annus horribilis after being thumped by fellow bottom-four side Greater Western Sydney by 49 points at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Highlighting just how far off the pace they are, North were only two spots below GWS on the ladder heading into the contest.

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The 15.12 (102) to 7.11 (53) result was sealed early on after the Giants, inspired by co-captain Stephen Coniglio, kicked the first seven goals, and they’ve now lifted themselves out of the bottom four, sending Adelaide to 15th spot.

North have lost their last 11 games by an average of 60 points, and 10 of their 12 losses have been by 47 points or more.

Adding to their woes, the Kangaroos’ No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis could be facing a suspension after collecting Josh Kelly with a late, swinging arm to the jaw on the wing in the third quarter.

Does Horne-Francis have anything to worry about after this swinging arm to Josh Kelly? 🤔

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AFL legend and Fox Footy commentator Gerard Healy said: “When Kelly grabs his chin I think he’s (Horne-Francis) got a meeting with the MRO of some description.”

SEN AFL Nation’s Michael Barlow and Sam Hargreaves said Horne-Francis could expect some time on the sidelines.

“He (Kelly) was felled as he got rid of it,” Barlow said.

“They’ve all come for Horne-Francis, he was frustrated.

“This will be a watch, Jason Horne-Francis collected him late.”

“Oh, that’s a round-arm, that’s weeks,” Hargreaves added.

“They need to get out and settle him, he was unravelling at halftime, he was clearly in distress and being comforted.”

Horne-Francis was in the middle of the push and shove. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ABC’s Akash Fotedar tweeted: “Interesting to note a lot of people having a crack at Jason Horne-Francis. Think the onus is on North Melbourne to ensure he is in a good place and happy at the club. Sure, he’s acting out and that’s not a good look, but they cannot afford to lose him.

“Can hardly think of anything worse than having your prized number one pick walk out after one season. How do you sell hope to fans, members and prospective players if the future of the doesn’t want to be there.”

Seven News’ Nat Yoannidis wrote: “If I acted the way JHF did today while playing junior tennis, I’d have copped a massive spray from Mumma Yoannidis. Kids these days”

Horne-Francis put negotiations on hold until the end of the season after the Kangaroos’ awful start to the year.

He also had words with veteran Todd Goldstein at the end of the first half.

Tensions boiling over a bit between JHF and veteran Todd Goldstein after a dire first half for North? 😤

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And North defender Lachie Young might also come under match review scrutiny for a headhigh hit on Matt De Boer in the third term, which left the GWS veteran dazed for a few moments.

The victory came at a cost for GWS, though, with Harry Perryman subbed out in the second quarter with injured ribs, and potentially lungs, after a heavy collision with Flynn Perez, and was transported to hospital via ambulance to have the damage assessed.

Kangaroos coach David Noble made a passionate call for fans to attend the game on Sunday, but his plea fell flat, with only 13,742 people rocking up, although it was a better crowd than their all-Melbourne contest against the Demons a couple of weeks ago (13,422).

The few fans who did attend would’ve been forgiven for thinking GWS were actually a top-four outfit.

North made them look like world beaters in the first half. Everything was way too easy for the Giants who dominated proceedings under next to no pressure as they toyed with the Kangaroos.

Stephen Coniglio starred. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

And while North limited the bleeding in the second half, the damage was well and truly done. In the end, GWS creamed North in disposals (422-292) and marks (149-69), yet despite their domination of the ball, they also laid more tackles (53-47) in what was the ultimate indictment on the Kangaroos’ listless performance.

Coniglio continues to thrive seemingly since former coach Leon Cameron’s departure, compiling a best on ground performance which saw him collect 34 disposals (14 contested), five clearances, two goal assists, 11 score involvements and three goals. He has now averaged 32 disposals in his last three games.

Harry Himmelberg’s move down back continues to pay dividends, the former forward racking up a career-high 37 touches, to go with 16 marks, 11 intercepts and a goal, while Tanner Bruhn, Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield also had an impact.

The Giants ambushed the Kangaroos at the start with 10 inside 50s in the first 10 minutes, as they sliced North open with superior ball use.

The hosts’ besieged backline couldn’t cope with the onslaught, and were done few favours by the minimal pressure from their teammates further afield as GWS helped themselves to 52 more disposals in the first term, yet still laid seven more tackles than the Kangas.

Tough night for the Roos. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

GWS also recorded 27 more marks (26 uncontested) as they held North goalless in the first quarter for the first time in 12 meetings.

North had to wait until the nine-minute mark of the second term for their first major.

In an awful sign, 11 Kangaroos finished the game with 11 disposals or fewer, including Jaidyn Stephenson (five), Jack Ziebell (five), Hugh Greenwood (eight), Horne-Francis (eight) and Kayne Turner (eight).

It was also North’s lowest score against GWS in 12 meetings, as well as their lowest quarter-time, halftime and three-quarter time scores.