PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Jason Horne-Francis said it was “a really good feeling” beating Geelong in a gritty game at GMHBA stadium on Friday night.
It was a drought-breaking victory for the Power, with 17 years passing since the side’s last win at the Cats’ home ground.
Horne-Francis spoke with the media back in Adelaide on Saturday morning about the exciting win, his own form, and how the team stood up despite losing several key players in the lead-up.
Horne-Francis on the win
“It's a really good feeling going over there, especially to Geelong and bringing home the four points. And, you know, we knew it was going to be tough. And yeah, we haven't won there in a while but we knew if we played our way we could hopefully put some good footy together. And we took a lot of confidence out of last year, we played really good down there, even though we didn't get the result. Yeah, I think we just build on that confidence and belief and I think we got a lot of that last night.”
Horne-Francis on the team gaining confidence from the win
“It was really, really pleasing, I guess. Yeah, we had few players out and, you know, we knew it was going to be really tough like I said, going down there. But we've been working on confidence and belief all week. And, you know, we know our good is really good. We just need to do that more consistently. And I think we did it for a large part of the game last night, so it was really pleasing.”
Horne-Francis on the importance of the win for the season
“Yeah, it's very important. You know, the competition is so close these days. I think it's the closest has been for a while now. So yeah, it's definitely good to get a win. And you know, I guess, solidify ourselves in the top eight for now. But yeah, it's a long season, we just want to build some consistency throughout our game. And yeah, hopefully we can be there when finals come.”
Horne-Francis on his own form
“I feel like I'm a big confidence player. And, yeah, I gained a lot last night, and not just last night, but I feel like throughout this start of the season. My teammates have really been by my side and given me a lot of confidence and belief. So I take a lot out of that. And yeah, I was definitely performing individually but yeah, the team was awesome last night.
“I think I just played with a bit of freedom last night. You know, Kenny's always instilling that, you know, belief, like I said, and just wanting me to go out and play my own way, which I thought I did. So. You know, I thought I set myself up at the start the season (after a) good pre-season, which has really set myself up. I've said it a couple of times, I just want to get some consistency in my game and I thought I did that well last night.”
Horne-Francis on Ken Hinkley comparing him to Zak Butters
“Oh, yeah, it's awesome. Yeah, it's really good to get a bit of recognition from Kenny. He's (been around) a long time, so it's good to hear from him. And yeah, you know, Zak was unbelievable. And you know, Ollie (Wines) in there as well.”
Horne-Francis on Butters’ first game as acting captain
“It was good. Little pre-game speech was, was probably best ever, we make a joke about it each week of how good the speeches were before the game, but yeah, it was pretty good for the first time for Zak. So yeah, he's really good and led by example last night.”
Horne-Francis on Ken Hinkley’s passion as coach
“We get a lot of drive and motivation off Kenny. Yeah, being really passionate, we know how passionate he is. And I think it was extra special for him in Geelong, obviously being from there so yeah, he said after the game it was a really special moment for him.”
Horne-Francis on how he pulled up
“Yeah, a little bit sore, a little bit ginger, got a bit of a corky but yeah, nothing besides that. But yeah, she'll be right should. You know, we’ve got a long break.”
Horne-Francis on getting more attention from opposition teams
Yeah, I think it's going to take a bit of getting used to. I think just coming into the game ad just accepting that it might happen and if it does, I feel like I've got ways to deal with it now. I've been speaking to a lot of people. Dave, our performance mindset coach at the club, I’ve been speaking with a bit this week, and we just figured out ways to keep me on track and I think that will really help me if that that attention does come.”
Horne-Francis on Dante Visentini
“Unbelievable. I feel like you know, coming in for his, I don’t know how many games he’s played, but his first couple of games and just to take on that role, and we know what he's going to bring. He brings that aggression and competitiveness and that's what we love about him. And I thought he was unbelievable in setting the tone for us.”
Horne-Francis on Willie Rioli
“Yeah four goals three and he probably could have had seven on the night. Yeah, he was unbelievable. Just his ability to, I guess make things up as you go and kick some goals. It was good to see him getting into his best form.”
