North Melbourne won’t target former number one pick Jason Horne-Francis in first-clash against former side

Just a week after Sydney looked to adopt a similar tactic to shut down Collingwood star Nick Daicos, McDonald doesn’t believe it serves the Roos best interests to target the man that left Arden Street at the end of last season in dramatic circumstances to return home to Adelaide.

“I definitely understand the interest externally but honestly it’s something we haven’t really spoken about,” McDonald said.

“Jason has gone back home and he seems really happy now and we have got (Harry) Sheezel and (George) Wardlaw and a draft pick this year so I think both clubs have moved on.

“We are looking forward to playing Port Adelaide as a whole and not just one particular player because it’s a really important game for us.”

While McDonald wasn’t sure if the Tasmanian contingent of North Melbourne fans would boo Horne-Francis, similar to what the young star had received a number of times this season, he said he wasn’t a fan of it in general in the wake of Collingwood fans applying the same treatment to Swans superstar Lance Franklin last week.

“I’m not a fan of booing but I do understand it when players play against their ex-side,” he said.

“AFL supports are passionate and we saw when Griffin Logue played against Fremantle he got booed so I feel like that’s just a part of the game.

“When its Port playing other sides I don’t agree with that because it has nothing to do with them but in general I’m not a big fan of booing but I understand the passion in the game when players face their old side. I’m certainly not encouraging it but it is what it is.”

McDonald’s comments echo those of North coach Alastair Clarkson who revealed he had reached out to Horne-Francis in an attempt to try and diffuse any tension between the young star and his former club.

“He’s not the first player in the history of the game to go home to play his footy. He’s certainly not going to be the last,” Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.

“I texted him 3 or 4 weeks ago and said ‘mate just get on with your life. Don’t think that there’s any grudges here. We’ve moved on, you’ve moved on, all the best with it.

“He responded positively, and we appreciated the text and was really just an olive branch, there’s no grudges here … I’m pleased he’s doing so well.”

The Roos will head into the clash against the Power without veteran midfielder Ben Cunnington with the 31-year-old dropped following just seven disposals against St. Kilda before he was subbed out at three-quarter time.

“’Cunners’ (Cunnington) has been an unbelievable player for our football club for a long period of time and he is still going to have an important role to play for us this season,” McDonald said.

“He will be the first to admit he was a bit out of form so it’s probably just a little bit of a pressure release for him and I’ve got no doubt he is going to go back and dominate the two’s this week and be back before we know it. Ben is a vital part of our team on and off the field and one of the best Shinboners of all time.”

Hugh Greenwood will replace Cunnington in the line-up with North looking to end a six-match losing streak.

Originally published as North Melbourne won’t target former number one pick Jason Horne-Francis in first-clash against former side