Geelong young gun Ollie Henry has admitted it “wouldn’t seem right” if he wasn’t booed by Collingwood fans as he weighed in on the hot topic.
Such treatment has been widely discussed in footy circles after Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne Francis has been jeered by opposition fans over the first few rounds of the season, leading to coach Ken Hinkley passionately defending the former Kangaroo.
And Henry, who like Horne-Francis, also switched clubs last off-season and was booed by Magpies supporters during Round 1, said it was important to block out the external noise, not that it necessarily phased the 20-year old.
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“When I did experience it, it was just coming back to the moments on the ground and being present with my teammates,” Henry told AFL Nation after Geelong’s 93-point win over Sydney on Saturday night.
“I still have a lot of love for Collingwood and I still have a lot of love for Collingwood fans. I love their passion and it wouldn’t seem right if they weren’t booing me.
“I still have that admiration for them and I like the way they go about it.”
Of course, it does differ from Horne-Francis, who’s been booed by fans from multiple opposition sides, with the 19-year old expressing confusion over the treatment in an interview with The Age.
Geelong Press Conference | 09:23
“I don’t think many players like it when they get booed,” Horne-Francis told The Age.
“I try not to take it in, but I do hear it.
“With all the pressure on the outside I can let it get into my head a little bit.
“I understand the North supporters’ side of it. I was a young kid and I made the courageous decision to come home, and they are understandably disappointed.
“I’m just a bit confused about Collingwood, Sydney and Bulldogs supporters … why they would boo me.
“My dad always said to me he hoped I wouldn’t go number one in the draft … I’m seeing what he meant now.”
Speaking on Horne-Francis, Henry suggested it was also important for the Power youngster to stay present during games.
“It’s whether Jason can really stay in the moment,” Henry said.
“He’s a great player and hopefully he can have a good year.”
