AFL young gun’s future questioned after fans catch him liking fake trade post

Eagle-eyed footy fans have sent the rumour mill into overdrive after catching out a young star’s “naive” push of a button.

Jason Horne-Francis’s future has been under the microscope.

It’s been a season to forget for North Melbourne.

They’ve been blown off the park multiple times and the rumours surrounding their highly-touted No. 1 draft pick’s future refuse to die down.

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The supremely talented Jason Horne-Francis has been in the headlines for several weeks with his future at the club reportedly remaining in limbo.

Horne-Francis has put contract talks on hold with the Kangaroos, as the struggles pile up with only one win on the board through the opening 12 rounds.

The youngster also reportedly received a “caution” from the club after failing to follow protocols as he flew back to South Australia for Mother’s Day.

However, it’s his latest act that has captured the attention of the media and left many believing his departure from the club may be on the horizon.

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice a familiar name in the “likes” of a Twitter post by 7AFL in which a fake trade scenario saw Horne-Francis being shipped to Port Adelaide.

Horne-Francis’ “like”, which has since been removed, has only fuelled the trade fire.

Do North and Port make the trade? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/3PBperlMM7

— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 3, 2022

“This is just a small issue on its own, but because Jason Horne-Francis is such a symbol of what North Melbourne is hoping it will become in the next couple of years … in the context of a young star who won’t commit to the footy club,” veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson said on Footy Classified.

“We’ve heard a couple of reports about him in recent weeks that he’s been disenchanted, not happy with the ways things are going at the footy club and then this after yet another shocking loss on the weekend.”

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd added: “It’s a naive thing to do and he’ll soon learn not to get involved doing anything like that again.”

Former Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes believes the build-up of events surrounding Horne-Francis is a worrying sign for North Melbourne.

“He’s looked definitely frustrated on the bench when you’ve gone and seen him play live. It’s just another thing that North Melbourne are going to have to deal with,” Cornes said.

The struggles on the park for the Kangaroos have led to coach David Noble finding himself in the hot seat and Lloyd believes the next 12 months are crucial.

Jason Horne-Francis is one of the hottest young prospects in the game. (Photo by Mike Owen/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“They (rookies) could be two-year contracts, so this time next year Jason will be making a decision,” he said.

“I reckon Ben King might’ve questioned if he was going to recommit at certain points to the Gold Coast Suns. He did, so it’s a massive, massive next 12 months.

“I’d want to see massive improvement and want to see what’s going to happen over the off-season with David Noble, his assistant coaches, the development.

“Some players don’t reach their potential, it’s sliding doors. Where you’re drafted to has a big influence on whether you’ll reach the potential. Look at (Fremantle coach) Justin Longmuir at the moment, how good have James Aish, Blake Acres, Rory Lobb and Will Brodie gone.

“The environment is making guys better at Fremantle, and the opposite I think at both Essendon and North Melbourne at the moment.”

Originally published as AFL young gun’s future questioned after fans catch him liking fake trade post