JHF and Harley Reid clash as tensions boil over in fiery scenes

News.com.au

a day ago

Two big-name No.1 picks, one tense scene on the footy field late on a Sunday night.
Things got fiery between Port Adelaide's Jason Horne-Francis (Pick 1, 2021) and West Coast's Harley Reid (Pick 1, 2023) during the fourth quarter of the Power's hard-fought win at Adelaide Oval.
With the Eagles trailing by two points, Reid was penalised for a throw in his own defensive 50, sparking Power players — including Horne-Francis — to remonstrate with him.
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
The two players exchanged words as they came face-to-face, with Reid gesturing towards — and pushing away — Horne-Francis before they were separated by teammates.
'It's sort of like they're looking in the mirror a little bit,' Fox Footy's Anthony Hudson quipped.
Hawks great Dermott Brereton added: 'You've got the feeling they're going to be at each other for the next decade.'
As Power veteran Travis Boak converted the set-shot goal to give Port some breathing space, Reid had more verbal spats with opponents as he came towards the bench.
'Seems to spend a lot of time talking and umpiring and into the crowd, doesn't he?' eight-time All-Austraian Mark Ricciuto said of Reid on Fox Footy.
Did Harley Reid just tell JHF something along the lines of “you went back to mummy after one year�? #AFLPortEagles
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) July 13, 2025
Jason Horne-Francis getting lippy and a bit punchy against the…. 1-17 West Coast Eagles 😬
— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) July 13, 2025
Horne-Francis played down the interaction post-game.
'I think there was a bit of heat in it at the end there, which was, I guess, I like a little bit, and I know a few of their players like (it) as well,' Horne-Francis told Fox Footy's Shaun Burgoyne.
'I think it's all part of the game, it's all in good spirit, but it was good to get over the line in the end.'
Horne-Francis had just two disposals in the first quarter, but the star midfielder fired up after the first break to help turn the momentum in his side's favour. He had 10 possessions, two score assists and six inside 50s in the second quarter.
With Zak Butters still lighting up Adelaide Oval, the Power brought the margin back to 11 points at half-time with a three-goals-to-one second term, with Horne-Francis kicking the first goal of the second half to help set the tone for the comeback.
The last-placed Eagles were rocked by the late withdrawals of Liam Ryan (personal) and Jack Graham (suspended), but Andrew McQualter's men bravely took the challenge right up to the home side, with Reid helping to lead the charge.
A typically energetic Reid theatrically cupped his ear to the dismayed home fans after his superbly snapped goal in the opening term and he embraced his role as the pantomime villain in the second quarter.
The 20-year-old earned jeers from the stands when he went to ground a little too easily after he was pushed following a running miss from long range.
'Harley stand up, Harley stand up … do not stage like that,' an umpired can be heard saying on the Fox Footy broadcast.
Ricciuto added: 'When you stage for a free like that the umpires aren't going to give you too much next time.'
Reid had a team-high 16 disposals in the first half, but didn't have quite the same influence after the main break thanks largely to the efforts of Willem Drew.