Ken Hinkley lets rip after Port Adelaide star Jason Horne-Francis after was BOOED v Western Bulldogs

Ken Hinkley has launched an impassioned plea for fans to have more respect for Jason Horne-Francis after the boo boys targeted the young Port Adelaide star on Saturday night.

Horne-Francis, 19, endured a rough debut season in the AFL last year at North Melbourne, where the No 1 draft pick struggled to justify his reputation as a star of the future.

The South Australian opted to return home over the summer, with Port Adelaide gladly giving him a chance, but his slow start to life in top-level footy has seen fans and sections of the media writing him off.

And during the Powers’ victory over Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, loud boos could be heard directed at Horne-Francis by some fans at Adelaide Oval.

After his side’s victory, a fed-up Hinkley took matters into his own hands and urged critics to back off. 

A fed-up Ken Hinkley has called for fans to have more ‘respect’ for Jason Horne-Francis

The 19-year-old was booed by spectators during Port Adelaide’s win over the Bulldogs

‘Jason Horne-Francis is 19, some part of it is really annoying me, with the way people are treating him,’ he said. 

‘It’s annoying me.  He’s never going to play four quarters every week. He’s 19 years old, if you’re treating my 19 year old son the way some people have treated him… I would be embarrassed by my performance if I was those people. 

‘I think it has been really unfair. The kid made a courageous decision to come home. 

‘Let the kid play footy. He’s 19. The kid’s trying, he’s giving his best, he’s 19, stop treating him like he is 28 and treat the kid with some respect.’

Todd Marshall booted a pair of late clutch goals to inspire his AFL side to a comeback 14-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.

Marshall’s double-strike in a three minute span in the final term on Saturday helped the Power prevail 10.10 (70) to 8.8 (56) on a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval.

Hinkley reminded Horne-Francis’s critics he is just 19 and needs to be given more respect

The Bulldogs, with Cody Weightman slotting four goals in his first AFL game of the season after overcoming a groin injury, were eight points up 10 minutes into a frantic final term.

But Marshall then converted two set-shots, including a remarkable 45-metre effort when hemmed on a boundary line, to put the Power in front.

The home side kicked the last four goals of the game before a 45,115-strong crowd.

‘Our boys and the Dogs were at it all night and going pretty hard, we both had turns at different moments,’ Hinkley added.

‘Luckily enough for us, at the the game we were really strong and really tough around the footy that it swung the game back our way.’