‘He’s 19’: Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley defends young gun Jason Horne-Francis after booing

An irate Ken Hinkley has let loose in an emotional press conference after an ugly occurrence in his side’s win on Saturday.

Power coach Ken Hinkley with Jason Horne-Francis. Photo: Fox Footy

An irate Ken Hinkley has clapped back at criticism of young Port Adelaide star Jason Horne-Francis after the young star was booed again during the Power’s 10.10 (70) to 8.8 (56) win over the Western Bulldogs in Adelaide on Saturday night.

Horne-Francis took control of the game late to drive Port home with 11 touches, seven contested possessions, five inside 50s and four clearances in the fourth quarter.

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Despite the game being on home soil, Horne-Francis was booed by the Adelaide Oval crowd every time he touched the ball, three weeks after he copped it from Collingwood fans at the MCG.

Speaking to media after the match, Port Adelaide coach Hinkley said he was “really annoyed” by the treatment Horne-Francis receives from crowds.

Jason Horne-Francis starred late for the Power. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“Jason Horne-Francis is 19,” he said.

“Some parts really annoy me about the way people treat him. It’s annoying me.

“He’s never going to play four quarters every week. He’s 19 years old. If you’re treating my 19-year-old son the way some people have treated him, I’d be embarrassed by my performance if I was those people.

“I think it’s been really unfair. The kid made a courageous decision to come home. Let the kid play footy. He’s 19.”

Asked whether he was referring specifically to the booing that has begun to plague Horne-Francis around the country, Hinkley said it was the overall treatment of the young star by fans and media alike.

“I’m talking about lots of things,” he said.

“I’m talking about people who write stories every week, talk stories every week and I’m talking about the treatment that they give him, at times, tonight.

“Without making a big deal of it, the kid’s trying, he’s giving his best. He’s 19. Stop treating him like he’s 28 and treat the kid with some respect.

“And I tell you what, some people who put pressure on kids in this game need to have a good hard look at themselves.”

Hinkley said that Horne-Francis was taking it all in his stride.

“Great credit to him,” he said.

“He just wants to play good footy. He’s happy being home. Good on him.”

The 19-year-old was tipped as one of the hottest properties in the game and a future Brownlow winner at an early age. Pic: Michael Klein

The former number one overall pick is still only 19, and has been the talk of the footy world since he was picked up by North Melbourne and sensationally requested a trade back to his home state of South Australia.

After Horne-Francis was booed against Collingwood, Port skipper Ollie Wines also criticised the crowd for their actions against a player still finding his way as a player and as a man.

“It happens in this day and age, but it’s really unfortunate that a 19-year-old kid is getting booed,” Wines said.

“He’s a good teammate of ours, he’s a really good kid. We forget he’s 19, and at stages he’s had a lot of media coverage so early in his career.”

Magpies coach Craig McRae made his stance of booing clear at the time.

“I’ve got a little six-year-old ... we don’t boo in our household, we respect the opposition and other athletes,” McRae said.