Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis believes that Port Adelaide superstar Jason Horne-Francis was made to “look like a school kid” after his three-quarter time conversation with coach Ken Hinkley and senior leaders last Saturday.
Speaking on Monday night, Fox Footy’s On The Couch panel dissected the 21-year-old’s fiery confrontation with former North Melbourne teammate Jy Simpkin last Saturday amid a tighter-than-anticipated clash. Simpkin was seen to hit Horne-Francis from behind while running past, with grappling ensuing not long after.
The exchange left the already animated young gun seething with rage, and led to Hinkley, captain Connor Rozee and vice-captain Zak Butters pulling him aside as the Power led North by just 13 points.
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Three-time Lions premiership player Jonathan Brown found Horne-Francis’ actions completely reasonable, and perhaps gained more traction than it deserved.
“Of course it’s blown up. I used to hate blokes hitting in the back; running up behind you and hitting you. I would’ve docked Simpkin in the chin,” Brown begun by saying.
“He’s a young player who gets frustrated, and he’s lost his temper. But I tell you what, that just wasn’t out of nothing — that’s one of the most frustrating things that used to happen to forwards.
“I know he had a bit of an argument with the coaches and players, but geez, I reckon we’ve blown it up far too much, because it didn’t affect his performance.”
Former Collingwood coach and club legend Nathan Buckley added: “I reckon I was still doing that seven or eight years (into my career). But he was quite clearly targeted, and his reaction has ensured that it’s going tom happen for another four or five years yet.”
Lewis pointed out one part of the evening’s interactions that he didn’t fancy as much, which was the three-quarter time discussion between Horne-Francis and his senior leaders.
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“The one thing I didn’t like, is when Ken, Rozee and Butters pulled him in like a little school kid,” the 319-gamer said.
“I think you can have those conversations understanding that people are watching (and) understanding what people would think of that particular instance. I would rather see Rozee grab him by himself, Zak Butters by himself or even Ken Hinkley grab him by himself.
“I just think the optics of that said to me that they treated him like a school kid … unless he’s given them permission for that to happen on-field, I didn’t think that was a great look. I just think it can be done by one person.”
Brown finished by saying: “I’d much rather have to polish someone else, because if it’s (competitiveness) not in you, it’s not in you.”
Horne-Francis finished the match with 27 disposals — 12 contested, six clearances and a goal, and was awarded five coaches votes for his efforts.
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