Jason Horne-Francis defies boos, leads Port over St Kilda

Jason Horne-Francis has been targeted again in “disturbing” scenes at Marvel Stadium, prompting legends to speak out.

Jason Horne-Francis was on fire. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Jason Horne-Francis has been targeted incessantly by crowd boos as he led Port Adelaide’s Round 7 win against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

The 19-year-old starred for the Power with 25 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 468 metres gained, alongside 7 tackles and a career-high 11 clearances to take Port to their eighth consecutive win at Marvel Stadium and impose their top-four credentials on the rest of the competition.

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Port Adelaide overcame a 14-point quarter-time deficit to take a slim lead by the half, and the lead would swap four more times in a nailbiting fixture that was aggressive at times from both sides, finishing in the Power’s favour 12.11 (83) to 11.10 (76).

Despite the quality of football on offer from both sides and especially from Horne-Francis, the 19-year-old copped more jeers from the home crowd at Docklands, drawing acute criticism from ex-players and experts in support of the youngster.

Jason Horne-Francis had the game of his career to date. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Every time the former top overall pick went near the football, Marvel Stadium echoed with a baritone of boos, despite Saints fans having seemingly no stake in the move away from North Melbourne that prompted the outpouring of abuse from crowds around the country.

Before the game, Saints assistant and legend Brendon Goddard said: “I find out odd and very disturbing … I’d be very disappointed if I was to hear St Kilda supporters boo.”

The booing came despite pleas from Port coach Ken Hinkley ahead of the game for Horne-Francis to be treated with “respect”.

“All I’ve asked is that people treat him with some respect … for people to say ‘you sign up for that’ – you don’t, actually,” Hinkley said on ABC Radio.

“I don’t want our best young talent to get scared off playing the game because of what happens outside the fence.”

Discussing the booing at half time on Fox Footy, Garry Lyon said it was “nonsensical” from St Kilda supporters.

“That’s embarrassing from the St Kilda footy club,” Lyon said.

“I don’t know why they’re doing it, their club’s flying.

“Everyone has paid their money, has the right to boo. I don’t like it.

“You are entitled (to boo), but sometimes the reflection is on you, and not the player.”

Horne-Francis has risen above the cacophony of boos to show he’s the most talented player in the country on his day. Pic: Michael Klein

Carlton and Adelaide legend Eddie Betts echoed some of the criticisms of the booing of Adam Goodes in the early-mid 2010s.

“They don’t know what they’re booing for … this is a 19-year-old kid,” Betts said.

“All he needs to do is continue to play great footy, and dominate.”

Former Collingwood legend and Hall of Famer Nathan Buckley, who infamously received similar treatment from crowds after he orchestrated a deal to leave the expansion Brisbane club in the early 1990s to get to Collingwood, said he empathised with Horne-Francis.

“As someone who’s been on the receiving end of it, you just gotta continue to do what you do, focus on what you can control in front of you, eventually people will work out … they lose the interest,” Buckley said.

“I wish that us (commentators) mentioning it would help it stop, but I know my concern is that we’re bringing attention to it and I don’t know if it makes it worse.”

Originally published as Jason Horne-Francis defies boos, leads Port over St Kilda