Kangaroos icon Brent Harvey has backed the club’s decision to drop No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis ahead of what would’ve been his first AFL match in his home town.
With North Melbourne traveling to Adelaide to take on the Crows, Horne-Francis, a South Australian native, was poised to have friends and family watch him in person, before he was omitted from Leigh Adams’ side.
According to Seven News’ Mitch Cleary, Horne-Francis was “called out” by the Kangaroos’ interim coach and senior teammates after failing to complete a proper ice bath recovery.
READMORE: Wayne Bennett’s offer to Paul Green three weeks before his sudden death aged 49
READMORE: ‘Ridiculous’ Kyrgios demolishes fellow Aussie ahead of US Open
READMORE: Gus Worland’s emotional plea to Australians after sudden death of Paul Green
With Horne-Francis having parked contract negotiations until the end of the season, speculation is rife that the axing could lead the talented teen away from Arden Street, but Harvey says the club “can’t get held to ransom for these little things.”
“He’s going to have the spotlight on him because he’s the No.1 draft pick … (but) he hasn’t gone out and robbed a bank, he hasn’t done anything bad; teammates love him, staff love him, the coaches love him. He hasn’t done anything bad,” Harvey told RSN.
“This is just part of the development of a young boy to get his preparation right and everybody else. Not just Jason.
“The risk is there (that he departs) … we know the risk, everybody knows the right. Not just Jason. It could be draft pick No.5, not No.1, and they’re from Adelaide or Perth. The going -home factor is always going to be there. Same as a Perth club that drafts a Melbourne boy – it’s always going to be there.
“But you can’t get held to ransom for these little things. You’ve got to make sure your culture is No.1, and that’s what our coach is doing right now, and I absolutely love it.”
Fresh speculation surrounding Horne-Francis’ future comes amid reports the Kangaroos have tabled an official offer to legendary coach Alastair Clarkson.
According to The Age, Clarkson has been offered a “long-term deal of at least five years” by the Kangaroos.
Clarkson is yet to make a decision on his future, with the GWS Giants also linked with the four-time premiership winner.
However, despite also being without a coach for next season, the Giants are understood to have not yet made a formal offer to Clarkson.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
