Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
Stir up the Hornet’s nest? Hinkley’s warning to Roos fans
Andrew Slevison • March 15th, 2026 11:30 am
Port Adelaide’s Jason Horne-Francis will play against former club North Melbourne in front of a home Roos crowd for the first time this weekend.
The Power meet the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the first Melbourne clash between the two clubs featuring the former No.1 draft pick.
Port and the Roos have clashed on three occasions - twice in Launceston, once in Adelaide - since Horne-Francis returned to his hometown post the 2022 season.
This weekend provides the North faithful with the opportunity to see him in the flesh since his controversial defection.
There is potential to stir up the Hornet’s nest, but his former Power coach Ken Hinkley has wanted against it.
“Don’t poke the bear,” Hinkley said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“I think Hornet’s moved on, I don’t think that’s an issue.
“The North fans will boo him but remember Hornet got booed for the first two years of his career by everyone, which was unfair.
“And then he goes into this game - don’t poke the bear.
“He hasn’t had a great pre-season, but North Melbourne, I’d just be a bit careful. He might put six on ya.”
Horne-Francis, 22, has been managing a foot issue this pre-season and only played 64 per cent of game time in the AAMI Community Series win over West Coast.
But he has been named to play his 81st AFL game on Sunday.
