Kane Cornes has responded to the criticism aimed at Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis for his performance in the 71-point loss against Collingwood on Saturday.
Following a dominant debut game for the Power where he picked up 25 disposals and kicked a goal against Brisbane, Horne-Francis was quiet against the Magpies with 15 disposals, seven clangers and six free kicks against.
With one defensive effort of the youngster’s going viral on social media – as he failed to track John Noble inside 50 – Cornes says he never suggested Horne-Francis was the finished product and instead suggests the Power midfielder will be a force in the future.
Looks like the old JHF is back pic.twitter.com/RufYPpnU5O
— Craig (@Craig__S) March 25, 2023
“Referencing his defensive action, thank you to the 500 people that sent it to me on social media, I noted it, I ignored it,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.
“He’s not a finished product, I don’t know if I’ve ever said Jason Horne-Francis is going to come in and be one of the better players in the competition and have an immediate impact.
“I’ve said that in four years’ time, look out for Jason Horne-Francis.”
Cornes compared Horne-Francis to North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke, a high draft pick that struggled early in his career before blossoming into a star of the competition in the last 12 months.
“People forget, everyone’s going to rave about Luke Davies-Uniacke, ‘How good is Luke Davies-Uniacke’, and they’re right,” Cornes said.
“10/10 Coaches’ votes, 21 clearances in two weeks, dominating through the midfield.
“What was Luke Davies-Uniacke like in his second year? Hopeless.
“He was questioned for everything and including to the point where he was left out of the side.”
Cornes also added that star midfielders often aren’t the best defensive runners with the likes of Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield not tasked to chase down opposition players.
“What was Dustin Martin’s defensive action like now let alone his second year? Horrible,” Cornes said.
“Have you ever seen Dustin Martin chase? No, you haven’t.
“I’m not saying Jason Horne-Francis is going to be Dustin Martin, but I am saying he could be like a Patrick Dangerfield.
“Look at Patrick Dangerfield’s vision from behind the goals now let alone his second year, woeful.”
Comparing Horne-Francis to other number one picks that were slow out of the gates, Cornes again urged patience from fans and detractors alike of the 19-year-old.
“What was Cam Rayner, the first pick in the draft, like in his second year?,” Cornes asked.
“What was Andrew McGrath like in his second year and what’s he like now?
“What was Matt Rowell like – take his first three games out of it – what was his form like in his second year?
“Just be patient, I never said he’s going to be the finished product, we saw last week the possibilities and it is exciting.
“But I’m not saying he’s a game changer, yet.”
Horne-Francis will hope to bounce back when the Power face the Crows in a Showdown at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Photo: AFL