Port coach trying to temper Horne-Francis excitement

Steve Larkin | March 18, 2023

Coach Ken Hinkley wants to downplay the dazzling debut of Jason Horne-Francis at Port Adelaide.

Horne-Francis produced a stunning first serious outing in Power colours on Saturday, inspiring a 54-point thrashing of flag fancies Brisbane.

The No.1 draft pick in 2021 controversially walked out of North Melbourne after just one season to return home to South Australia.

Horne-Francis’ decision prompted criticism after his attitude was questioned during a turbulent time at North.

But Hinkley defended the youngster as a “solid person” after his club debut featured 25 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 inside 50s, seven clearances and a goal.

“He was a really solid player for us but I feel like he’s a really solid person,” he said.

“And he is home, he’s happy – they are things that help make you become a good footballer.

“He is 19, a long, long way to go.

“He will make some mistakes, he will have some days where it won’t be quite as good as today was.

“But he should be mighty proud and his family should be mighty proud that he’s back home and he played like a young man who was very happy to be home.”

Horne-Francis won the first clearance of Port’s season, snapped a stirring early goal, and triggered his new club’s third-term blitz of the Lions.

In that quarter, his 12 disposals included five inside 50s and three clearances as the Power slammed on eight goals to one.

“He was pick one in the draft so let’s not spend too much time talking around what he is capable of,” Hinkley said.

“Because that is why you go pick one in the draft: you’re really capable.

“You have got to execute consistently over a long period of time to be recognised as a really good to great player and that’s what he’s hoping to do.”