North Melbourne development coach Brent Harvey has defended the club dropping Jason Horne-Francis for Round 22's clash against Adelaide, explaining that the club is building a culture of high standards.
Horne-Francis, the club's prized number one pick, was a surprise omission from the side to travel to Adelaide to take on the Crows, in what would have been the young gun's first AFL game in his home state.
The 19-year-old was dropped from the side after failing to complete "proper ice baths and recovery", per reports from 7 News' Mitch Cleary, something that interim coach Leigh Adams and senior plays believe does not meet club expectations.
โThe star teenager was called out by interim coach Leigh Adams and senior players on Sunday for failing to complete his proper ice baths and recovery in front of their very eyes,โ Cleary said on Friday.
โHe spent this morning with a dozen teammates training in Melbourne (instead of travelling with the squad).โ
The young Kangaroo still has a year to run on his contract at Arden Street, but has been linked with a move back home to South Australia.
Speaking on RSN, North legend Harvey said that Horne-Francis being left out of the side is all part of his development as a footballer, conceding that he was work to do on his preparation for games.
"He hasn't gone out and robbed a bank, he hasn't done nothing bad, his teammates love him, the coaches love him...this is just part of the development of a young boy to get his preparation right," Harvey told RSN
"You can't get held to ransom for these little things; you've got to make sure your culture is number one.
"That's what our coach is doing right now and I absolutely love it."
The 2022 debutant has played 16 games so far this season, averaging 16.3 disposals and 3.6 clearances per match.
