Port Adelaide midfielder Jason Horne-Francis cleared for return

Jackson Clark Published June 11, 2025 at 2.00pm (AWST)

sport

Port Adelaide's Jason Horne-Francis is set to return from a hamstring injury this weekend. Image: Getty Images.

Port Adelaide midfielder Jason Horne-Francis headlines a list of Indigenous players set to return from injury this weekend.

The Power confirmed that the 21-year-old will be available for Sunday's clash against Melbourne after recovering from a hamstring injury that he sustained in the opening quarter of their Round 11 loss to Geelong.

The Wardaman man has missed the past two matches against Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney, but has now completed his rehabilitation and is expected to re-join full training this week.

Fellow Port Adelaide player Lachie Jones is also progressing well in his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in the same game.

The tough defender is tracking towards a return within the next three weeks, according to the club.

The injury news is also positive in the west, with Fremantle duo Michael Walters and Quinton Narkle set to undergo fitness tests at training this week.

Narkle, who injured his knee last month, is a strong chance to play this weekend – either for the Dockers' clash against North Melbourne or for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.

"Quinton (Narkle) has been quicker (with his recovery) than we thought he would be," said the club's High Performance Manager Phil Merriman.

Jason Horne-Francis celebrates a goal while playing for the Indigenous All-Stars earlier this year. (Image: Getty Images)

"He's been training most of last week and this week, so he'll be a test to play."

Veteran forward Michael Walters is also in line for his first AFL appearance of the season after a pre-season knee injury, with the 33-year-old expected to be available for selection this week.

Meanwhile, Dockers captain Alex Pearce has resumed running at training as he continues his recovery from a leg injury.

The 30-year-old missed Fremantle's Round 13 win over Gold Coast before the bye after scans revealed a stress reaction.

The club is expected to take a conservative approach with Pearce's return after he was rushed back from a broken arm last season, only to suffer another setback that ultimately ended his 2024 campaign.

The Palawa man won't play this Saturday, but the Dockers are hopeful that he will be ready for the following Thursday against Essendon.

"Alex is going well – he's begun his on-field running program and we will have a volume build for him," Merriman said.

"He's not playing this week, but we're looking to get him going for the Essendon game."