By Jake Niall
North Melbourne will only consider an exceptional deal for Jason Horne-Francis after the 2021 No.1 draft pick requested a trade to Port Adelaide.
The Kangaroos confirmed in a statement that Horne-Francis had asked for a trade “to a South Australian club”.
No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis was under the spotlight in his debut seasonCredit: Getty Images
But Kangaroos sources told The Age they would only entertain a trade if there was an exceptional deal offered and would otherwise be willing to hold on to Horne-Francis, who has one year to run on his contract.
Horne-Francis is seeking a trade to Port Adelaide, which is better-placed than Adelaide to pursue him because the Crows are already committed to Gold Coast’s Izak Rankine, who will cost them at least their 2022 first-round selection.
The Kangaroos do not believe that the situation facing Alastair Clarkson is a factor in Horne-Francis’ decision to request a trade.
Horne-Francis had some attitudinal issues during his first season at Arden Street, which saw him dropped from the senior team late in the season.
Horne-Francis, still just 19, has so far played 17 games for North Melbourne. He earned unwanted headlines when he returned to South Australia after a game in Perth earlier this year without informing the club, in what was described as a mix-up in communication. He also deferred talks on an extension to his contract beyond 2023, despite the Kangaroos wanting to lock him in early in the season.
Horne-Francis has a connection to Port, through Fabian Francis, his stepfather, who played for the Power, after stints at Melbourne and the Brisbane Bears.
In a statement, North Melbourne list manager Brady Rawlings said the club would consider its options following the request.
“Jason is contracted for next year, we’ve invested significantly in him as our first-ever No.1 pick just 12 months ago, and we view him as a key part of the club’s plans going forward,” Rawlings said.
“We appreciate Jason’s circumstances but at the same time we’re determined to look after the best interests of North Melbourne.”
Port Adelaide holds pick No.8 in the 2022 national draft, which would likely fall well short of what the Roos would want for a player who was pick No.1 last year and is contracted for another season. Port would have the option of adding future first-round choices, giving up two first-rounders, or sending a player or players to North.
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