Coach Ken Hinkley needs to downplay the dazzling debut of Jason Horne-Francis at Port Adelaide.
Horne-Francis produced a shocking first critical outing in Energy colours on Saturday, inspiring a 54-point thrashing of flag fancies Brisbane.
The No.1 draft decide in 2021 controversially walked out of North Melbourne after only one season to return residence to South Australia.
Horne-Francis’ choice prompted criticism after his angle was questioned throughout a turbulent time at North.
However Hinkley defended the teen as a “strong particular person” after his membership debut featured 25 disposals, 11 rating involvements, 10 inside 50s, seven clearances and a purpose.
“He was a extremely strong participant for us however I really feel like he is a extremely strong particular person,” he mentioned.
“And he’s residence, he is completely happy – they’re issues that assist make you change into footballer.
“He’s 19, a protracted, lengthy option to go.
“He’ll make some errors, he may have some days the place it will not be fairly pretty much as good as at the moment was.
“However he ought to be mighty proud and his household ought to be mighty proud that he is again residence and he performed like a younger man who was very completely happy to be residence.”
Horne-Francis received the primary clearance of Port’s season, snapped a stirring early purpose, and triggered his new membership’s third-term blitz of the Lions.
In that quarter, his 12 disposals included 5 inside 50s and three clearances because the Energy slammed on eight objectives to 1.
“He was decide one within the draft so let’s not spend an excessive amount of time speaking about what he’s able to,” Hinkley mentioned.
“As a result of that’s the reason you go decide one within the draft: you are actually succesful.
“You’ve got to execute constantly over a protracted time period to be acknowledged as a extremely good to nice participant and that is what he is hoping to do.”
