SEN’s Bryce Gibbs has backed North Melbourne’s Jason Horne-Francis after his character was questioned following his trade request to Port Adelaide.
Horne-Francis on Sunday tabled his request to be traded after just one year with the Kangaroos, with many criticising the teenager for giving the club just one year of service after being taken first overall in the 2021 draft.
With the South Australian native referencing homesickness for his reason to request a Port Adelaide move, Gibbs disagreed with claims that his former South Adelaide teammate had character issues.
“He’s a man of strong character, Jason,” Gibbs said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“We’ve got to remember too, he’s only 19 years of age, he’s moved interstate and that’s quite a big deal for some guys.
“Some guys can hop up and leave and go do it … in other cases, kids don’t get to experience that before they’re drafted, and it affects everyone differently.
“It’s been well documented and well publicised that he is close to his family and he’s had a little bit of homesickness throughout the year.
“But to question his character and things around that space, I don’t agree with that.”
Having played with the young star at SANFL level with South Adelaide, Gibbs gave an insight into Horne-Francis’ competitiveness, something he felt led to his frustration with the wooden spoon Roos.
“He’s one of the most competitive players I’ve ever seen and some of that competitiveness we’ve seen come out on the footy field,” Gibbs said.
“Some of that has turned into frustration because of how competitive he is as a person and his winning mentality.
“Some of the performances that North Melbourne during this year in some of the games were pretty deplorable.
“He sets high expectations, he sets a high bar, I think some of that body language and some of that frustration towards his teammates was a great sign of him saying, ‘This is unacceptable, this isn’t what we should be dishing up … this isn’t what our fans and members pay to watch us dish up’.
“He’s still 18, he’s still learning, he’s still working out what it is to be a professional athlete and how you carry yourself.
“He’s in the public eye now and everyone’s going to hang on everything he does.
“That comes with experience, he’s just walked into an elite environment, he’s not going to change or know everything after being there for five minutes.”
In addition to their off-field woes, Gibbs questioned the guidance offered to Horne-Francis at Arden Street, questioning what leadership was shown to the young midfielder throughout his tough first season.
“These things take a bit of time and I’ve questioned throughout the year some of the leadership at North Melbourne,” Gibbs said.
“Who is actually helping him through this situation as well? Who is paving the way for him? Who is showing him what’s right and what’s wrong and giving him sound advice from a player’s point of view?
“For people out there questioning his character, he’s a really good kid.
“Away from the footy field, he’s actually very humble, he’s very polite, very well-mannered and very respectful.
“That’s what I can share with you on his character.”
North Melbourne and Port Adelaide have begun trade talks for the young star, with the Kangaroos set to demand more than pick 8 in this year’s draft and a future first-round selection.