Jason Horne-Francis’ mongrel is impressing his new Port Adelaide captain, Tom Jonas.
The Port skipper says Horne-Francis, the No.1 draftee who walked out of North Melbourne after only one season, will immediately add muscle to the Power’s midfield combine.
“There’s the footy side in terms of his skill, left and right, the way he reads the play, his footy IQ,” Jonas instructed reporters on Tuesday.
“But there’s also his physical side is strong, powerful.
“And then he has simply acquired a little bit of that form of mongrel about him that he hates to lose, fiercely aggressive in no matter he does.”
The 19-year-old ex-Kangaroo is being groomed for Travis Boak’s midfield spot, with the Power veteran to spend more time at half-forward.
Horne-Francis had surgery last October to release compression in arteries behind both knees, missing a chunk of early pre-season.
“He sat on the bike a bit bit and I believe that was powerful for him as nicely, not having the ability to get on the market along with his new teammates and present his wares,” Jonas mentioned.
“But we have now seen … why he was ranked primary.
“He is a 19-year-old, he is raw. He’s ready to go out there and play footy, chase the ball, and do what we picked him up to do.”
Horne-Francis arrived in a draft interval additionally netting Junior Rioli from West Coast because the Power search to atone for lacking the finals final yr.
“Not so much revenge, it’s about lifting our own game,” Jonas mentioned.
“We potentially got what we deserved last year, we didn’t play good enough footy for long enough.
“So this yr it is about being higher for longer. Our expectations yearly are to present ourselves the very best alternative to play finals and go deep in finals.”
Port will play an inner trial sport this week earlier than travelling to Perth for follow video games towards West Coast (February 24) and Fremantle (March 2).
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
