Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has launched a staunch defence of his commentary surrounding Jason Horne-Francis and argued North Melbourne supporters have “selective memories” amid the ugly booing saga involving the former No. 1 pick.
Horne-Francis was booed again in the Power’s tight win over the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, which prompted a passionate response from fired-up Port coach Ken Hinkley, who labelled the treatment and general critics as “really unfair” and said they should be “embarrassed.”
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King called out Cornes on Fox Footy’s First Crack for fuelling the furore around Horne-Francis for his ongoing referencing of ice baths, which the young gun failed to complete during recovery while at North to play a role in him being dropped from the senior team mid-season.
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But speaking on SEN radio on Monday morning, Cornes, who slammed Roos’ fans “disgraceful” behaviour towards Horne-Francis on the Sunday Footy Show, argued there’s more contributing to the hostile narrative than his opinions.
“I think the moment Jason Horne-Francis requested a trade, there was a lot of North Melbourne fans calling him a mummy’s boy and doing all of that,” the dual All-Australian said on SEN Breakfast.
“His former teammates including Cameron Zurhaar were very critical on social media … before I said anything about an ice bath.
“The vitriol coming from North Melbourne would’ve started regardless of me stirring the pot – to sort of use Kingy’s reference there.
“I just wanted to say I think the North Melbourne fans have got selective memories.”
It came after Horne-Francis stepped up in a big way in the fourth quarter of Port’s come-from-behind win over the Dogs, racking up 11 disposals, four clearances and five inside 50s to help lead his team home.
Hinkley post-match was shown with his arms around the 19-year old while appearing to deliver an emotional message the youngster.
“How many times did you see a North Melbourne figure put their arms around Jason Horne-Francis like Ken Hinkley did on the weekend? I didn’t see it,” Cornes added.
“North Melbourne can escape any blame and ignore the treatment they gave one of their best players and the lack of development they put in and time, care and love that he needed.
“It wasn’t just the ice bath, of course, but that was a reference point of how poorly they managed their most talented player since Wayne Carey.
“It’s very flattering that people are suggesting I’m the reason crowds are booing Jason Horne-Francis right around the country.”
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Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley also weighed in on the matter, suggesting the commentary surrounding Horne-Francis has unnecessarily escalated beyond the player.
“It shouldn’t have anything to do with the media or the personalities within it,” the Magpies legend told SEN.
“It shouldn’t have anything to do with (Cornes), it shouldn’t have anything to do with Kingy, who has North Melbourne blood coursing through his fans, and (Cornes), who has Port Adelaide blood coursing through your veins.
“In the end, you’re going to be biased towards the connections you have.
“In between it all is this kid, who as Ken Hinkley rightfully said, has every right to develop and grow as a footballer at his own time and in his own way.
“He is a prodigious talent and he has got rough edges. Everyone’s going to have an opinion of that – and you’re entitled to your opinion. You can question a guy around his professional status and how he goes about it and whether you think he’s playing well or whether he’s having a crack.
“But eventually it does have a personal toll. I understand a lot of sides of it, I don’t think it’s due to one thing or another.
“When emotions get involved, logic goes out the window, and I think this is a very strong example of that.”
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Cornes was ultimately full of praise for the way Horne-Francis has handled himself on field this season while being firmly in the spotlight.
“The best thing about it is he is holding up to any scrutiny. If he doesn’t play on the weekend, they don’t win,” he added.
“I’ve been blown away by what a start to his career it has been. Amongst all this, the dual hamstring surgery and no pre-season, he stood up in a game where they were down at three-quarter time in tough conditions … with Zak Butters and a couple of others, he dragged Port Adelaide over the line.
“That’s why I’ve been such a strong defender of Horne-Francis, this kid can be anything. North Melbourne is going to miss one, I’m telling you, that’s my criticism of North.”
