Port Adelaide news: Jason Horne-Francis on midfield move, track watch notes

Ken Hinkley wants more midfield time out of Jason Horne-Francis in 2025. But what does the Power star himself think of the change? Plus more track watch notes here.

Port Adelaide star Jason Horne-Francis says he can give senior coach Ken Hinkley what he wants by increasing his midfield time as he looks to take his game to the next level.

Horne-Francis had a career best year in 2024, finishing second in the Power’s best and fairest and was named in the All-Australian squad, shining as a midfielder with resting stints forward.

Hinkley wants the 21-year-old young star to spend more time in the midfield and the former No. 1 draft pick said he has put in extra work away from the club to further improve his fitness to help him manage the increased load.

“I think whether it is my running patterns or fitness I think I have learnt a lot over the last couple of years and I think that will stand me in good stead for more time in the midfield,” he said.

Horne-Francis is ready to step up and play more midfield minutes. PIcture: Phil Hillyard

“I’ve actually started on my days off doing a little bit of boxing to build that fitness up.

“I think I got worked a bit too hard in my first session and I came back bloody sore for the Friday session and the boys gave me a bit of stick for that.

“But just little things like that you can always improve on. I love it, it’s a bit of fun and another hobby outside of footy to do and it keeps me fit.”

Horne-Francis is also hoping a trip to the US in the off-season to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for biomechanical testing and to learn about soft-tissue injury prevention will stand him in good stead for 2025.

“Going to America has helped us tinker my gym program, especially my pre-hab before training to get my body right,” he said.

“But I think it is about just working really hard on the track and giving 100 per cent every session.

“I’ve been a bit lucky with my body I guess but with the power I can generate I have to make sure I can look after it as much as I can and I think that trip really helped me learn about my body, about soft tissue stuff and what happens there so I think it has been really good for me and I will continue to learn.”

The Power star has had a big pre-season. Picture: Getty Images

Horne-Francis also said he was excited about what the Power’s forward line was going to look like this year - with big changes flagged after Charlie Dixon’s retirement and Todd Marshall’s potential season-ending injury.

“I think it is going to be a fun, exciting brand that we are going to play,” he said.

“We are still learning the game plan and Kenny is adding things in but I think the way we are going on the track we are continuously learning, trying to implement some things and it is looking really exciting out there on the track and I can’t wait to see what our forward line can do.

“I think it makes me get even fitter because we are running more than we were previously, I guess for us it is lowering our eyes, using our hands and running.

“That is a weapon in our team the speed we have, we have so many players who have good footskills as well.

“It is going to be an exciting year and exciting brand that we are going to play.”

KEY NOTES FROM MONDAY’S TRAINING

FORWARD LINE PUZZLE

Who is going to make up the Power’s new-look forward line continued to firm at training on Monday.

During match-sim the Power had what looked like its strongest forward line against its strongest defenders.

With draftee Joe Berry restricted to just running, after he copped a poke to the eye on Friday, the forward line initially featured Jack Lukosius, Mitch Georgiades, Jeremy Finlayson, Wille Rioli, Joe Richards and Darcy Byrne-Jones.

Ollie Lord switched in for Finlayson, after he dominated down the other end of the ground, while Sam Powell-Pepper also came into that forward line when he came onto the ground.

Kane Farrell at training. Picture: Brenton Edwards

BACKLINE BRIGADE

The backline started off with Aliir Aliir, Esava Ratugolea, Miles Bergman, Logan Evans, Ryan Burton and Josh Sinn.

After missing some time with a concussion, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher also came into the backline but the Power still had only two of him and Aliir or Ratugolea on the ground at all times.

Kane Farrell also took part in match-sim for the stronger backline and had a great moment where he dodged a couple of tackles in traffic to set-up a counter attack.

INJURY WATCH

Lachie Jones did running as he battles an adductor issue while ruckman Ivan Soldo took part in match-sim after managing knee soreness so far this pre-season.