Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has again taken a dim view of opposition supporters' jeering of Jason Horne-Francis and praised the young star's impressive response.

Former No.1 draft pick Horne-Francis has been subjected to boos throughout his first season with the Power after his high-profile trade move from North Melbourne.

The treatment continued at the MCG on Sunday, though Horne-Francis had the last laugh with 23 touches in a 10-point win over Richmond.

"I loved the Port Adelaide people who were here - they here drowning out the so-called attention that Jase got," Hinkley said.

"Gee, he played a good game of footy. He was nice and tough and hard."

Horne-Francis admitted last month his mental health had declined as a result of the boos.

The 19-year-old has let Hinkley know the coach's public support has meant a lot to him.

"He's learning to deal with that and it's disappointing, isn't it? Let's be honest, we don't need to shy away from that," Hinkley continued.

"But the kid's doing great and Port Adelaide people did a great job to support him today. That's what I loved."

Fellow midfielders Zak Butters and Connor Rozee were also influential in Port's eighth straight win, while Scott Lycett fought hard in an intriguing ruck battle with Toby Nankervis.

But Hinkley was most lavish in his praise of key defenders Aliir Aliir and Trent McKenzie, who stood tall in suspended skipper Tom Jonas's absence.

"They were two of our very best players today, our two tall backs," Hinkley said.

"Both were really important to us, I just said that to them.

"When the moments get biggest, they were both capable of going with us."

Port also had 10 individual goal-kickers in an even spread without injured talls Charlie DIxon and Todd Marshall.

One of those was young key forward Ollie Lord, who has kicked five goals in five senior appearances since making his debut in round six.

"We've had Todd and Charlie basically missing now for three weeks ... and Ollie's been a really successful story for us this year. I think the future looks bright," Hinkley said.

"(Dixon) won't want me saying it, but when he's had enough, which will be a long way away I'd imagine, there's a pretty promising replacement coming behind him.

"He likes the same (physical) style of football, which we love in our tall forwards."