Kangaroos star claims fans CAN boo Jason Horne-Francis when Port play North Melbourne

North Melbourne star Will Phillips believes Kangaroos fans would be well within their rights to boo Jason Horne-Francis when he faces his former team next month.

Selected by North with the first overall pick of the 2021 AFL Draft, Horne-Francis left the Kangaroos at the end of last season to join Port Adelaide.

And Phillips admitted his former teammate could be on the receiving end of a torrid reception when the Power and Kangaroos square off at Blundstone Arena in Hobart in Round 9. 

‘I think it’s understandable if they want to have a boo,’ he told Footy on Nine show on Sunday.

‘It’s probably unfair for other teams to do that but understandable for the North fans. 

Jason Horne-Francis wil face his former club when Port Adelaide plays North Melbourne in Round 9 at Blundstone Arena in Tasmania

North Melbourne star Will Phillips believes Kangaroos fans have every right to boo his former teammate when the two teams collide next month

‘They are pretty passionate, so I would understand if they want to boo [him].’

The young midfielder was loudly booed on Friday night as Port sealed a surprise seven-point win at Marvel Stadium.

Horne-Francis was outstanding in Port’s upset seven-point win over the Saints on Friday night at Marvel Stadium, racking up 11 clearances and 18 contested possessions.

It was the latest game in which opposition fans have booed the former Kangaroos player and Saints boss Ross Lyon was unhappy at St Kilda fans’ treatment of the young gun.

Power coach Ken Hinkley defended Horne-Francis angrily a fortnight ago and Lyon is also unimpressed at fans booing the 19-year-old whenever he has the ball.

‘People were doing as a mob that they wouldn’t do as individuals. Maybe just check yourself […] there’s a lot of mental stress of players.

Horne-Francis was roundly booed by the Saints fans on Friday but delivered a dominant performance as the Power sealed a shock seven-point win 

St Kilda boss Ross Lyon slammed the Saints fans for booing the young gun 

‘If you’re doing it to put him off his game […] well, clearly it doesn’t work, which is good for the kid, so maybe don’t boo him.’

Hinkley praised Horne-Francis, saying he showed his power in the hard-fought win.

‘Play on – we’ve made our point,’ he said.

‘Jase will grow, he’ll be okay. He knows one thing for certain. His footy team is in his corner.’