The St Kilda fans who booed Jason Horne-Francis have been ticked off by their team's own coach, with Ross Lyon noting it clearly doesn't affect the Port Adelaide young gun.
Horne-Francis was outstanding in Port's upset seven-point win over the Saints on Friday night at Marvel Stadium, racking up 11 clearances and 18 contested possessions.
It was the latest game in which opposition fans have booed the young midfielder, after the No.1 draft pick only stayed one year at North Melbourne and then moved to Port Adelaide in the off-season.
Power coach Ken Hinkley defended Horne-Francis angrily a fortnight ago and Lyon is also unimpressed at fans booing the 19-year-old whenever he has the ball.
Lyon referred to American comedian Dave Chappelle in defending Horne-Francis, saying "let's not punch down on a 19-year-old.
"People were doing as a mob that they wouldn't do as individuals. Maybe just check yourself ... there's a lot of mental stress of players.
"If you're doing it to put him off his game ... well, clearly it doesn't work, which is good for the kid, so maybe don't boo him."
Hinkley praised Horne-Francis, saying he showed his power in the hard-fought win.
"Play on - we've made our point," he said.
"Jase will grow, he'll be okay.
"He knows one thing for certain. His footy team is in his corner."
Friday night's big win was the fourth in a row for Port Adelaide and, suddenly, their season and Hinkley's future look very tenable.
Former Power captain Warren Tredrea had said Hinkley's position was untenable after their round-three Showdown loss - and Port have not lost since.
It was an emotional night for Port, with players wearing black armbands to honour long-time football department secretary Di Pounsett, who died during the week..
"She was Port Adelaide. That's what we think of her," Hinkley said
"She'd like me to say funny things around her. She was the hardest lady that you could possibly want to work with - and give you a clip when you didn't think you deserved it.
"But you knew who was boss, and get it right from now. Chris (Port football manager Chris Davies) and I weren't bosses in this footy club - Di was."
