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Jason Horne-Francis called out over inexcusable brain fades

A young Port Adelaide star has been called out by AFL greats after several undisciplined acts cost his side dearly on Sunday.

JHF lost his cool against the Suns
JHF lost his cool against the Suns

Jason Horne-Francis has come under heavy fire over several undisciplined acts during Port Adelaide’s loss to the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday.

The Power fell 96-82 to fall outside the top eight on the ladder with Horne-Francis’ impact limited to only nine disposals.

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The Suns continually got under the skin of the 21-year-old, forcing him into giving away four free kicks that cost his side dearly.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wasn’t happy with his young star and put the acid on him to “be better” when it mattered.

Former Port Adelaide premiership star Kane Cornes took aim at Horne-Francis on Monday, blasting the youngster for letting his team down.

“It’s time for those that need to pull their socks up nice and high,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

Jason Horne-Francis lost his cool. Credit: Fox Footy
Jason Horne-Francis lost his cool. Credit: Fox Footy

“I’m going to talk about my man, Jason Horne-Francis yesterday, he let his side down and he let himself down.

“He hadn’t touched the footy probably until the halfway point of the second quarter.

“Zero touches in the first term and he didn’t touch it through the halfway point of the second quarter.

“Then he got really frustrated and the Gold Coast players sensed that. He gave away a 50-metre penalty which led to a goal.

“Ken Hinkley pulled him off to the interchange bench and had a good discussion with him, but then he did it again, he gave another one away to Nick Holman.”

Cornes called out JHF.
Cornes called out JHF.
Horne-Francis lost his head against the Suns. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Horne-Francis lost his head against the Suns. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cornes said playing on the edge emotionally can be good, but only if you can keep your head in check. Something Horne-Francis has to work on going forward.

“I guess he’s got to have that in check,” Cornes said.

“We know it’s part of his package and it has been, he’s been pretty good at keeping that under control this year.

“But when things aren’t going your way, you cannot visibly be frustrated like that.

“He hurt his side yesterday. So, Jason pull your socks up.”

Cornes however wasn’t alone in calling out Horne-Francis as North Melbourne premiership star David King also took aim.

The youngster needs to learn to keep his head in check. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
The youngster needs to learn to keep his head in check. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

King said his aggression was now being exposed and used against him by rival teams.

“And this bloke (Horne-Francis) — they’ve got a problem,” he declared.

“They’ve got a problem that they haven’t really wanted to talk about for a little while. Everyone defends Jason, he’s a wonderful player, he’s an extreme talent — but he’s gettable now.

“You can get under his skin, you can draw 50-metre penalties, and you can draw goals.

“He spends a lot of time talking to the coach, and why wouldn’t you talk to him? You’ve got to get the player back on track, I understand that, but at some point, he needs to take this situation by the horns himself and just, emotionally, remain in check.”

After a home return against Richmond this Saturday night, Port faces a devilish run as it attempts to stamp its fourth finals ticket in the past five seasons.

From Round 20-24, the Power need to get past Carlton (at Marvel Stadium), Sydney (Adelaide Oval), Melbourne (MCG), Adelaide and Fremantle (Optus Stadium).

Read related topics:Adelaide

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/jason-hornefrancis-called-out-over-inexcusable-brain-fades/news-story/269049bb3222429e8d84eef8800d88f9