Nathan Buckley is unhappy with the lack of support from the footy industry for North Melbourne youngster Jason Horne-Francis.
Buckley strongly believes the commentary around Horne-Francis in recent weeks has been unfair.
The No.1 draft pick has been the subject of constant speculation with murmurs he may want to leave the Kangaroos.
Some have even called into question his on-field desire and attitude in recent weeks.
But Collingwood great Buckley has leapt to the defence of the 18-year-old who he feels has been harshly treated in this day and age of social media saturation.
He says the expectations, which have come externally, are unbalanced and might be having a negative impact on the South Australian.
“I’m hot under the collar around a specific issue,” Buckley said on SEN Breakfast.
“If I was Jason Horne-Francis’ parents, how would I feel about how he has been treated by the industry?
“So I’m not just talking about the club, I’m not talking about the media, I’m not talking about anyone in particular, but I feel like - What are we doing to this kid?
“He is an 18-year-old who is probably struggling within himself. We’re seeing his behaviours that are coming out that are showing quite clearly that he is struggling in himself in the challenge that he is facing.
“It’s got worse and worse as the expectation has grown. These expectations weren’t his, they were placed on him externally and this is where sports media and social media becomes a big thing.
“He’s the number one pick, he’s expected to be a certain player, he’s gone into a club that has struggled and he’s become the main story out of the North Melbourne Football Club.
“I had a thought last night, if I was the mother and the father, would I want my son to be in that situation? And the answer is no.
“It would be better for him in his life to not have to be under this level of scrutiny before he is capable of handling any of this.”
Buckley believes the perception that Horne-Francis wants to leave Arden Street after just one season is grossly unfair because it brings into question his character.
“He is already being judged by the masses, by the football community, for something that hasn’t happened yet,” he added.
“He is already being judged for, ‘Why don’t you just stick with North, mate? Why don’t you do this, why don’t you do that?’ Nothing’s happened but our bias has us judging this kid’s character.
“And he is a kid. I see him struggling physically and I don’t feel comfortable with the way the game is not supporting this kid and the game being the industry.”
Buckley came into the game controversially when he was drafted by the Brisbane Bears in 1991 through their Northern Territory zone.
He remained in the SANFL with Port Adelaide in 1992, before playing one season for the Bears in 1993 and then moving to Collingwood as the club of his choice.
Having experienced a similar type of pressure, what advice would Buckley give to Horne-Francis?
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“There is nothing I would say different to what I’m saying here,” he said further.
“You’re still a young man who is developing. I understand the challenges that are happening around you, but what is your plan? What is the plan with the club?
“There’s a flawed ideal already to assume that my circumstances are the same as his.
“He might want to go home. He might want to be around his loved ones and have a support mechanism that is crucial to him.”
Buckley added: “Right now he’s a work in progress and it’s going to take time and patience and a lot of care and support.”
Horne-Francis will miss North’s next two matches after he was suspended for striking Giants midfielder Josh Kelly on Sunday.
He has played 12 matches and is averaging 17 disposals so far in his debut campaign.