Since returning to full training earlier this year, recruit Jason Horne-Francis has been able to show his notable strength and ball skills. Image: Matt Sampson.

JASON HORNE-FRANCIS has described his joy at returning to full training, saying the intensity is something he’d “never seen before”.

After a highly publicised trade from North Melbourne to Port Adelaide in the off-season, the 2021 number one draft pick spent the pre-Christmas period of pre-season in rehabilitation following surgery to decompress the arteries in the back of his knees.

Now sporting some nasty looking scars on the back of his legs, Horne-Francis is back in full training and has impressed his new teammates with his attack on the football and want to win at all costs. Forward Charlie Dixon noted this week that the 19-year-old didn’t even want to lose the warm-up sprints.

It seems Horne-Francis is just as impressed with the way his new side goes about it, noting the competitiveness at training since his return from the surgery was unlike anything he’s experienced in football.

“It was a pretty heavy surgery that needed to be done,” he explained during an on-stage interview at Port Adelaide’s Annual General Meeting on Friday night.

“There’s no issues with them now other than some pretty heavy scars. Everything’s going really well. I’m back in full training and just the level that we’re training at here is something I’ve never seen before.

“It’s a competitive environment and that’s something I love. The training standard that we’re at is awesome and I’m loving being on the track with the boys.

“Coming to a new club and being in rehab was obviously tough. I wasn’t able to be around the boys as much as I would have liked to but definitely coming back training now has been awesome.”

Horne-Francis’ father Fabian Francis is a dual SANFL premiership player for Port Adelaide and was part of the club’s inaugural AFL list, playing 86 AFL and 33 SANFL games between 1995 and 2001.

Being close to his family and seeing his younger brother and sister grow up was a key reason for Horne-Francis seeking a trade back to his home state and he said he was grateful to have landed at a club where he had family ties.

“I’ve only been back here for a bit but just to have the support network I have around me now and to be at a great club like Port Adelaide with the great players and coaching staff and members we have here is just awesome,” he said.

“Dad brought me up the Port way and that’s all I’ve ever known from a young age so it’s great to be at Port and living what I’d dreamt.

“To have someone like Dad beside me and helping me is something I’ll cherish. It’s the best thing… and I love him to bits.”

Jason Horne-Francis is training strongly, noting his side's hunger and competitiveness. Image: Michael Sullivan.

Those sentiments were echoed by fellow recruit Junior Rioli, who spoke at the AGM after being presented on stage alongside Horne-Francis and fellow recruits Francis Evans, Tom McCallum, Tom Scully, Kyle Marshall and Nathan Barkla.

Former West Coast forward Rioli left Perth to return to Adelaide where he played SANFL under former Port Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan at Glenelg.

He said he felt fit and well supported since arriving at Alberton, and was grateful to be welcomed to a club with such a rich culture.

“Coming over here, I feel like there’s great support around me and that will get the best out of me,” Rioli explained.

“I’ve got Shaunny (Burgoyne) looking out for me. He’s my mentor and if I can get close to as many games as he got to I’d be happy.

“But there’s so many great leaders and legends at the club. That’s what I like seeing with some of the past players involved in the group and coming down to training.

“Growing up in the community, family is a big thing and culture, and I feel like this club has that in spades.”

Junior Rioli is enjoying the culture at Alberton, keen to make the most of his opportunity at Port Adelaide. Image: Matt Sampson.

Rioli will get his first chance to impress supporters at the intraclub match on Friday 17 February before packing his bag to return to Perth for a week to face his old side and Fremantle in pre-season matches.

He said he was excited to take on his former teammates in his new colours.

“I marked it down as soon as I got here,”  he smiled.

“I’ve got no issue with (West Coast). I’m just grateful to be here where I know I’ll get the best out of myself.”

Port Adelaide’s intraclub match will get underway from 5pm with gates at Alberton Oval opening at 4pm.