AFL Trade Period: North Melbourne has officially met with Jason Horne-Francis after Adelaide’s huge offer for No. 1 draft pick
Adelaide threw virtually everything it could to wrestle prospective No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis from North Melbourne’s grasp. So why didn’t it work?
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Recruiting guru Matthew Rendell says Adelaide’s “extraordinary” offer to North Melbourne for pick 1 and the Kangaroos’ decision to reject it shows just how keen both clubs are on generational talent Jason Horne-Francis.
The Crows tried to deal the fourth selection in this year’s draft, as well as two 2022 first-rounders – its own and Melbourne’s – for the top choice with a view to taking the South Adelaide star, only for the Kangaroos to knock it back.
Adelaide also would have received a future second-round call.
Rendell, a former recruiter at Adelaide and Collingwood, said “that’s as keen as you can get for any player – and everyone knows why”.
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DRAFT HUB: PROFILES AND EXCLUSIVE STATS ON THE TOP 70 PROSPECTS
South Adelaide midfielder/forward Horne-Francis is considered the standout in next month’s draft pool after enhancing his prospects with a stunning SANFL major-round campaign.
In the Panthers’ preliminary final loss last month, the 18-year-old registered 24 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals.
“It’s an amazing knock-back,” Rendell told News Corp of North Melbourne’s decision.
“The Crows would’ve thought they were a great chance.
“It’s an extraordinary offer.
“North are obviously hellbent on taking Horne-Francis.
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“He’s a star, a generational player – he’s your (Nathan) Buckley, he’s your (Michael) Voss, he’s your (Nat) Fyfe, he’s your (Patrick) Dangerfield, he’s your (Chris) Judd.
“He’s your bloke people are going to swarm through the gates to watch, week in, week out.
“He’s nice and calm, he doesn’t get stressed, he plays his heart out, he’s athletic, he marks the ball, he smashes them, I love his attitude and he’ll play first game, barring injury.”
Rendell said he thought North Melbourne would even have knocked back a similar deal featuring pick two if the Crows had secured that selection with a loss to the Kangaroos in the last minor round.
“If they don’t accept that (this week’s offer), they’re not accepting anything,” he said.
Rendell said North Melbourne could have recruited tall Sandringham Dragons midfielder Finn Callaghan if it made the deal, describing him as a Josh Kelly type.
With Horne-Francis seemingly off the table, Callaghan would be perfect for the Crows, according to Rendell.
“What they need is a big-bodied mid who can play forward and is a runner,” he said.
“Finn Callaghan fits the bill perfectly – so does Jason Horne-Francis.
“And Callaghan can kick over the lines.”
Adelaide has also been linked to Murray Bushrangers forward/midfielder Josh Rachele.
“He’s a very good player, a smart player, but I know what I’d take,” Rendell said.
Horne-Francis is considered to be someone who just gets on with the job and will not be fazed about the hype of being the No. 1 selection.
Rendell said: “When North calls out Horne-Francis’s name, the Crows and Port will be ringing his manager every day for two years saying ‘how can we get him back?’”
Adelaide’s rejected trade already shows Horne-Francis and his family where the Crows stand.
Roos finally meet SA phenom after Crows’ huge offer
It’s finally happened, Kangaroos fans.
Prospective No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis officially met with North Melbourne’s recruiting team on Saturday, as the Roos consider crowning him the country’s best teenage prospect.
Joining Horne-Francis were his agent Ben Williams, of Players Ink management group, mother Trish and stepfather Fabian Francis, who played 109 games for Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Kangaroos coach David Noble was not in the Zoom meeting, with list boss Glenn Luff and recruiting manager Mark Finnigan among the club’s representatives.
The catch up ends a fortnight of commentary about North Melbourne having not met with the South Adelaide phenom, who is being likened to Patrick Dangerfield and Michael Voss.
Horne-Francis is the reason the Crows made an audacious offer this week to the Roos of three first-round selections to try to snatch the top pick, while also receiving a future second-rounder back.
The disclaimer is one of those selections is premier Melbourne’s future first-rounder and there may not be a major difference between that and the Roos’ second pick next year.
North Melbourne rejected Adelaide’s informal proposal but it may not be the Crows’ last ahead of the November 24 draft night.
Eyebrows were raised when Horne-Francis told the News Corp last month he hadn’t had any official contact with the Kangaroos’ list management crew.
“No, I haven’t actually spoken to North yet, which I think most people think is a little weird. But I think we will get there soon,” he said.
“I have spoken to 11 or 12 clubs but I am happy to go anywhere, really. I think North have some interest but I will embrace wherever I go.
“North are a really young and developing team. They are exciting to watch, so it would be good to come into a young squad like that and develop with the young boys, but I haven’t heard much from them yet.”
Asked last week about not meeting with Horne-Francis yet, Kangaroos list manager Luff explained they had intended to do so face-to-face once the Covid-19 situation settled.
North’s recruiting team also wanted to give the brilliant 18-year-old breathing room while he played in the SANFL finals.
Pick 1 raid: Should Roos have taken monster Crows offer?
- Matt Turner
A bold bid from Adelaide to land North Melbourne’s top pick in next month’s national draft by offering three first-round selections has been rejected.
The Crows had made the play for the No. 1 choice, presumably with an eye on securing South Adelaide young gun Jason Horne-Francis.
Adelaide offered its first choice this year (No. 4) as well as two 2022 first-round selections: its own and Melbourne’s, which it had received in a four-club pick swap earlier this week.
But the Kangaroos, who would have given up pick 1 along with a future second-rounder, rejected the proposal.
Horne-Francis, 18, is widely considered this year’s standout draft prospect after starring in senior SANFL ranks.
The explosive midfielder/forward averaged 16.5 disposals from 20 league games and kicked 15 goals, including 3.3 in an eye-catching 24-possession display in the Panthers’ preliminary final loss to Glenelg.
He is set to be a huge boost to the Kangaroos’ rebuild under coach David Noble, as the club looks to climb off the bottom of the ladder next season.
Speaking last month, Crows list manager Justin Reid said he did not expect North Melbourne to part with the top selection.
“We’ve had conversations with every club, but certainly North Melbourne,” Reid said.
“(Horne-Francis) is a quality individual and I wouldn’t have thought North Melbourne are moving too much on their pick one.”
The Kangaroos have never had the first pick in the national draft
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Originally published as AFL Trade Period: North Melbourne has officially met with Jason Horne-Francis after Adelaide’s huge offer for No. 1 draft pick
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