AFL legend Leigh Matthews has labelled Jason Horne-Francis' decision to walk out on the Kangaroos as "weak" after yet another week in the headlines for the Port youngster.
Horne-Francis has been roundly booed by rival fans all season after his big off-season trade move away from the club that made him the No.1 pick in the 2021 draft.
The teen star has endured an indifferent start to the 2023 season and was held to just 13 possessions as the Power won their third straight game on Saturday.
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Up against the lowly West Coast Eagles at home, Port proved far too strong, running out 16. 13. (109) to 10. 9. (69) winners.
Prior to the meeting against West Coast, Horne-Francis told The Age he was "confused" by why fans other than those from North Melbourne had chosen to boo him this season.
"I don't think many players like it when they get booed. 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," he said.
"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 why Collingwood, Sydney and Bulldogs supporters ... why they would boo me."
Matthews hit back at Horne-Francis' description of his off-season move to Port being "courageous".
"I think it's weak to go back to Adelaide, I'm on that side of it," he told 3AW.
"You do what you like, but courage is seeing it out and staying more than leaving in my view. Where the courage sits is different the way I see it.
"I reckon supporters who (boo Horne-Francis say) he's just a player in an opposition jumper and we can boo him because yeah he was the No.1 pick and walked out on North Melbourne, that's enough for me to boo him.
"'Don't take it personally' is what I thought you would be saying to Jason because the more you talk about it, the more supporters have a reason to bloody boo you because you're in an opposition guernsey."
Matthews suggested that part of the scrutiny levelled at Horne-Francis was due to his lofty draft selection, something the player's own father had feared.
"Fans don't know the individual player," he said.
"We know the draft age is very young, you're an 18-year-old playing elite level sport.
"If I had a son, I wouldn't want him to be the No.1 draft choice. You get a $10,000 term deposit, that's good, but the scrutiny you get is massive."
"My dad always said to me he hoped I wouldn't go No. 1 in the draft and me then being the 18-year-old was always like: 'Yeah sure, Dad.' But I'm seeing what he meant now," Horne-Francis told The Age.
Horne-Francis and the Power will face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Friday, with the blockbuster clash to open up round seven.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
AFL legend Leigh Matthews has labelled Jason Horne-Francis' decision to walk out on the Kangaroos as "weak" after yet another week in the headlines for the Port youngster.
Horne-Francis has been roundly booed by rival fans all season after his big off-season trade move away from the club that made him the No.1 pick in the 2021 draft.
The teen star has endured an indifferent start to the 2023 season and was held to just 13 possessions as the Power won their third straight game on Saturday.
READ MORE: Brisbane cops double blow in hip-drop carnage
READ MORE: Djokovic launches racquet in 'below standard' loss
READ MORE: Cody Simpson hits out at 'ridiculous' commentary
Up against the lowly West Coast Eagles at home, Port proved far too strong, running out 16. 13. (109) to 10. 9. (69) winners.
Prior to the meeting against West Coast, Horne-Francis told The Age he was "confused" by why fans other than those from North Melbourne had chosen to boo him this season.
"I don't think many players like it when they get booed. 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," he said.
"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 why Collingwood, Sydney and Bulldogs supporters ... why they would boo me."
Matthews hit back at Horne-Francis' description of his off-season move to Port being "courageous".
"I think it's weak to go back to Adelaide, I'm on that side of it," he told 3AW.
"You do what you like, but courage is seeing it out and staying more than leaving in my view. Where the courage sits is different the way I see it.
"I reckon supporters who (boo Horne-Francis say) he's just a player in an opposition jumper and we can boo him because yeah he was the No.1 pick and walked out on North Melbourne, that's enough for me to boo him.
"'Don't take it personally' is what I thought you would be saying to Jason because the more you talk about it, the more supporters have a reason to bloody boo you because you're in an opposition guernsey."
Matthews suggested that part of the scrutiny levelled at Horne-Francis was due to his lofty draft selection, something the player's own father had feared.
"Fans don't know the individual player," he said.
"We know the draft age is very young, you're an 18-year-old playing elite level sport.
"If I had a son, I wouldn't want him to be the No.1 draft choice. You get a $10,000 term deposit, that's good, but the scrutiny you get is massive."
"My dad always said to me he hoped I wouldn't go No. 1 in the draft and me then being the 18-year-old was always like: 'Yeah sure, Dad.' But I'm seeing what he meant now," Horne-Francis told The Age.
Horne-Francis and the Power will face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Friday, with the blockbuster clash to open up round seven.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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