Young AFL player faces criticism from former peers over immature conduct, labeled as 'petulant'.
Rewritten Article:
Jason Horne-Francis, Port Adelaide's young gun midfielder, found himself on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from former AFL star, Matthew Lloyd. In a candid discussion on Channel 9's Sunday Footy Show, Lloyd accused Horne-Francis of displaying "petulant" behavior during Port Adelaide's victory against North Melbourne.
The heated moment, which marred an otherwise impressive performance by Horne-Francis, saw him involved in a scuffle with several Kangaroos players. Senior Port Adelaide players had to intervene to cool down the youngster, who was later seen conversing with Power boss Ken Hinkley but appeared to turn his back on the coach.
Lloyd, a former Essendon star, was unforgiving of Horne-Francis' actions, branding them "unforgivable" and a "droppable offense." He further pointed out that the 21-year-old's decision to turn his back on Hinkley during the exchange was a clear demonstration of immaturity.
Despite Horne-Francis' stellar performance, which included 27 disposals and a goal, Lloyd felt the unsavory incident overshadowed the young star's accomplishments. He was particularly disappointed by Horne-Francis' unwillingness to listen to his coach and his disrespectful behavior towards Hinkley.
Former player Rory Sloane echoed Lloyd's sentiments, calling the behavior "petulant" but acknowledging that senior players should step in to guide Horne-Francis. However, Damien Barrett disagreed, arguing that Horne-Francis' volatility makes him a great player. Barrett even went as far as to praise the footy star for his passion, claiming it's refreshing to see such fire on the field.
Hinkley, Port Adelaide's coach, seemed unphased by the incident, acknowledging Horne-Francis' fierce competitive spirit but also emphasizing the need for the midfielder to manage his emotions better. He expressed satisfaction with the way his team handled the situation, praising Butters and Rozee for their intervention.
Butters, himself, humorously compared the situation to trying to tame a raging bull, but he admitted that he'd rather work with someone like Horne-Francis than someone who needs constant motivation.
Playing against his former team, Horne-Francis was in top form, demonstrating his impressive skills and determination. However, his off-field behavior raised concerns among some former pros, who felt his actions were disrespectful and unprofessional. Regardless of the criticism, Horne-Francis remains a vital asset to Port Adelaide, contributing significantly to the team's success this season.
[1] - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/10/port-adelaide-afl-team-its-a-batty-time-for-jason-horne-francis-to-grow-up-says-matthew-lloyd[2] - https://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jason-horne-francis-facing-backlash-after-reaction-to-port-adelaide-s-north-melbourne-win-20210704-p58gng.html
- In the aftermath of Port Adelaide's win against North Melbourne, Jason Horne-Francis, the young midfielder, allegedly displayed a petulant behavior, which led to a heated altercation with several Kangaroos players.
- Formally of Essendon, Matthew Lloyd, a former AFL star, was critical of Horne-Francis' behavior, stating it was unsavory and potentially a droppable offense, citing his immaturity in turning his back on coach Ken Hinkley during the exchange.
- Amidst the controversy, Damien Barrett argued that Horne-Francis' volatile nature contributes to his greatness as a footballer, praising his passion on the field, which he finds refreshing.
