Maligned younger gun Jason Horne-Francis has starred once more, main Port Adelaide to an emotion-charged upset AFL win over ladder-leading St Kilda.
Saints followers have been the newest to boo Horne-Francis, who produced a best-afield efficiency at Marvel Stadium because the Power gained a Friday night time particular 12.11 (83) to 11.10 (76).
Horne-Francis racked up 11 clearances and 18 contested possessions because the Power honoured long-time soccer division secretary Di Pounsett, who died this week aged 69.
The booing prompted a two-pronged rebuke from Saints coach Ross Lyon, who urged followers to think about the impact they may have on younger gamers – whereas noting that clearly, their abuse did not work.
Lyon referred to a line from American comic Dave Schappelle, saying: “Let’s not punch down on a 19-year-old.
“He was large. He was fairly highly effective.
“There’s a couple of things; people are doing as a mob what they wouldn’t do as individuals, so maybe just check yourself. There’s a lot of mental stress on players.
“If you are doing it to place him off his sport … effectively clearly it does not work, which is nice for the child.”
Power coach Ken Hinkley, a fierce defender of Horne-Francis in the last few weeks, was full of praise again for the young midfield bull.
Horne-Francis, the 2021 No.1 draft pick, has become a target for opposition fans after his decision to leave North Melbourne and join Port after only one season.
“We’ve stated a bit about Jase – I’ve stated rather a lot about him – he is acquired rather a lot to study and much more development to return, however his temperament – he can deal with the stress,” Hinkley said.
Hinkley was also emotional as he spoke warmly of Pounsett, who had been at Port since they joined the AFL.
“I noticed her on Monday. She at all times would say ‘carry the 4 factors house’. We introduced the 4 factors house for you, Di, and we love you,” he said.
While this was Port’s fourth-straight win, they lost the free kick count by an astonishing 28-14 to continue their poor run with the umpires this season.
“At the second, we’re a good distance in entrance with the free-kick depend towards. It can be good to get some readability from the umpires again to us, if we’re that poor at a number of the issues we’re doing,” Hinkley said.
Likewise, Lyon was mystified by a crucial free kick paid against Saints defender Josh Battle in the last term, when he moved slightly off his line and was called to play on.
Power forward Charlie Dixon pounced, smothering his kick, and that led directly to a goal to Sam Powell-Pepper.
Overall, it was a high-pressure game in which St Kilda took control early, only for Port to roar back.
St Kilda were held goalless in the second term – the first time that has happened to them this season.
With the clash in the balance, key position player Jeremy Finlayson went into defence and took two crucial marks late in the last quarter.
Finlayson also snapped the goal in the last term that gave Port the lead again after St Kilda had kicked the first two goals of the quarter.
The win is a far cry from Port’s round-three Showdown loss, which prompted former Port captain Warren Tredrea to say Hinkley’s future was untenable.
Port midfielder Xavier Duursma damage his knee in a heavy collision with Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall and was emotional when he needed to be subbed out of the sport throughout quarter-time.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
