Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has attempted to brush off what he believes was unnecessary booing of prized recruit Jason Horne-Francis by Collingwood fans.
Horne-Francis, the 2021 No.1 draft pick, returned to the MCG on Saturday for his first game in Victoria since shocking North Melbourne with a trade request at the end of his first season.
The 19-year-old starred in his Power debut against Brisbane in round one but managed just 15 disposals and one clearance in a 71-point trouncing from the Magpies.
Collingwood fans made up the vast majority of the 60,744-strong crowd and mercilessly jeered each one of Horne-Francis's touches.
"He's got some attention on him. He's had that all summer and he's had that for the last 12 months," Hinkley said.
"Melbourne maybe don't like him as a town, I don't know. That's all I can suggest it can be because he didn't play for Collingwood."
Hinkley stopped short of trying to discourage fans from booing his emerging midfield star.
"I don't see a need for it," Hinkley said.
"Discourage? It's not my job to do that. I just don't see a need for it."
Horne-Francis was not alone in producing a poor display, with Port Adelaide comprehensively beaten across the ground.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae made his feelings about booing known last season when Magpies livewire Jack Ginnivan drew the ire of opposition fans, and reiterated his stance.
"I've got a little six-year-old and we don't boo in our household," McRae said.
"We respect opposition and other athletes, so it's not something I would do.
"You pay your money, you can do what you like, but in my household we don't boo."
