The foul-mouthed taunt North’s former No.1 draft pick copped after fiery stoush in loss to Carlton 

Revealed: The foul-mouthed taunt North Melbourne’s former No.1 draft pick copped after fiery stoush in loss to Carlton

  • Jason Horne-Francis had a number of fiery altercations with Jack Silvagni
  • One incident included standing up for his teammate Tarryn Thomas
  • Former Kangaroos champion David King has lauded the young star 
  • However fans are divided, with many slating Horne-Francis for a ‘cheap shot’ 

North Melbourne champion David King has praised the Kangaroos former number one AFL draft pick Jason Horne-Francis for standing up for his teammates against Carlton at the weekend.

The young talent was one of the first North Melbourne players to come rushing in following a heavy bump on teammate Tarryn Thomas. While senior players stood back, the young firebrand got in the face of Carlton players and defended his teammate.

Moments later Jack Silvagni taunted the young midfielder, saying ‘your club is s***’. Horne-Francis was having none of that either and immediately remonstrated with the Blues star. 

King loved every minute of it.

‘This guy will be the club’s best player in the space of the next 10 weeks. He’s that sort of talent. Everything he does is impactful,’ he said.

‘He plays with an anger, he plays with a level of physicality that’s not matched by others.

Jack Silvagni of the Carlton Blues and Jason Horne-Francis of North Melbourne square up

 Jack Silvagni of the Carlton Blues and Jason Horne-Francis of North Melbourne square up

‘Who are the players that come in to remonstrate because this is one of your family, one of your guys going down? In comes a guy that’s been there five minutes and fights the fight.

‘He doesn’t mind a bit of this, I love it and I wish he had some friends.’

However, many AFL fans disagreed and said that the Horne-Francis hit on Silvagni after the Thomas incident was a ‘cheap shot’.

‘You’re lauding a player for punching another player from behind?! Is this the kind of thing we want to promote in footy today is it, @FOXFOOTY?’ one fan Tweeted.

‘Great physicality sniping blokes when they’re not looking. He’ll be a superstar, but lauding him for this is absurd,’ posted another.

Horne-Francis was charged with striking by the AFL tribunal, however he will escape suspension and only incur a $2000 fine if he takes an early plea. 

Horne-Francis of the Kangaroos signs the jumper of a young fan before their clash with Carlton

Horne-Francis of the Kangaroos signs the jumper of a young fan before their clash with Carlton

‘Is he sticking up for the club or reacting out of embarrassment for the cheap shot he gave Jack and was called out for it?’ an AFL fan Tweeted.

Whatever the fans may think, Kangaroos coach David Noble is pleased with the development of his young star.

‘Jase was in a rigorous program for a couple of years […] [so] we felt early on that he had the physicality, the understanding […] and he continues to get better,’ he said.

‘He’s clean with the ball and he loves competing […] they’re the aspects we like about his game.’