Analysis Pick 1: Jason Horne-Francis vs rest of the field

[Kanga Glory]

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[Kangaroos4eva]

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I hope he turns out better than Isaac Heeney.

 

[Tas]

Nickname is sorted. Hornet!

I liked Porne better.

 

[Tas]

I hope he turns out better than Isaac Heeney.

What is wrong with Heeney? Other than the beady eyes...

 

[King Corey]

HE CAN BE A ROO-KIE MONSTER
Brilliant SANFL audition just icing on the cake

JASON Horne-Francis has his sights set on North Melbourne calling out his name ahead of every other player in November’s national draft.

If the Roos had any reservations, his final SANFL match last weekend might just have been his mic-drop moment.

The brilliant South Adelaide midfielder’s season came to a close with a finals exit, but for Horne-Francis it was another barnstorming reminder of his brilliance.

Anyone not convinced he was good enough to be the draft’s best player would have walked away wowed by his multi-dimensional talents.

The 24-possession, 11- clearance, 160-ranking-point, 10-score-involvement game showed that the Kangaroos would not only call his name, they would do so fully aware he could step into senior football from round 1 next year – just as he did when he was elevated to senior SANFL football in round 7 last year and never missed a beat.

And did we mention the three goals in Friday’s performance – one perfect

crumbing effort at the front of the pack, a scrounged goalline soccer kick from the pack, and then an exquisite left-foot snap from the tightest of angles on the boundary line? So, yes, he’s ready to go No.1.

The only minor problem is he has no idea where he sits because he hasn’t spoken to North Melbourne.

“No, I haven’t 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.”

The Roos might end up bidding on father-sons Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy to keep those clubs honest before they end up securing Horne-Francis.

And yet there is a case that Horne-Francis’s exposed form over the past 18 months makes it easy for the Roos to justify bestowing upon him the No.1 overall pick tag that he has coveted for some time.

“I think earlier in the year it was just wherever I go I will be happy,” he said. “That’s still the case, but I have put a bit of a challenge on myself to see if I can get that No.1 spot.

“It would be great. It would be a reflection of all the hard work I have put in and the family has put in as well.

“That’s what we are striving for, but if it doesn’t happen that’s fine as well.”

Like Ash Barty’s use of the “we” instead of “I”, Horne- Francis’s success comes with a support cast that has been integral to his development.

Francis recently turned 18, which allowed him to legally change his name from Horne to Horne-Francis to recognise stepfather Fabian Francis, who played 109 games with Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Adelaide.

“My dad and mum (Trish) split up and we moved out and mum met Fabian and he’s my stepdad,” he said.

“So ever since I was six or seven, he has taught me so much. He’s been good to have around and to help bring my family up.

“He likes to talk himself up to me, tell me how good he was, so we give each other a bit of s--- and have a bit of fun.

“We just thought turning 18 when I could (change my name) it was the right time to do it. All my other family, my sister and brother and mum have done it, so it was the right time.

“I can’t thank mum and dad enough for what they have done and sacrificed for me.

They knew where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do.

They put everything aside for me.”

Managed by Ben Williams, of Players Ink, he has the same flair and spark as another Williams client, Isaac Heeney.

His barnstorming SANFL take-down tackle of AFLlisted Darcy Fogarty went viral – “Yeah, I love that part of the game, it’s good to get aggressive with the big boys” – as did his skyscraper of a hanger as a mid-sized forward.

His 11 stoppage clearances last weekend showcased the full range of skills – hitting the contest at top pace, reefing it from the bottom of the pack, reflex intercepts and clever handball releases to teammates in space.

In a midfield with Ben Cunnington, Luke Davies- Uniacke, Tarryn Thomas, Will Phillips and Tom Powell, he will easily go forward and make use of his explosiveness at times next year like the best midfielders such as Dustin Martin, Christian Petracca and Marcus Bontempelli.

If North did use its No.1 overall pick on him, it would secure the club much-needed hype.

“He won’t mind it,” a confidante said.

“He is laconic. He will just go and get the ball or kill someone trying to get it.”

The Roos will strike gold with Horne-Francis a year after SANFL mid Powell became a value pick at No.13.

South Australia’s relatively untouched junior competitions have given the pair a leg-up on rivals from Victoria’s Covidravaged NAB League.

Horne-Francis finished Year 12 last year, so has put his time to good use with a weekly schedule that involves babysitting brother Fabian Jr on Mondays and a job that still allows him time to devote to his craft.

“I work for Fleurieu Milk four days a week, five hours a day, and then I look after my little brother on Mondays,” he said.

“He is one and a half, not far from two, so he’s getting to an age where he’s a ratbag, but it’s good to have him and give him some company and he acts a lot like me when I was younger as well.”

Horne-Francis will find himself at Arden St alongside Jack Ziebell and Todd Goldstein, but said he would have to give up his childhood love of a team much further west across the Nullarbor.

“I go for Freo,” he said.

“I know it’s unusual for an Adelaide boy. But I was coming through when they had success back in Adelaide and I just liked Naf Fyfe.

“The way he went about his footy, and Freo really grew on me from there. I think I liked the way he went about his offfield preparation, the way he did everything he could to get himself right. I love the way he attacks the ball, how aggressive he is.”

Baby steps for Horne- Francis, but he is at least the prototype of the modern footballer who like Fyfe can do a little bit of everything – bring down a rampaging opponent, climb on someone’s head or bounce back up and kick a jaw-dropping goal a moment later.

It is why his name will be spilling out of the mouth of the lucky Roos recruiter who calls his name at 7pm on November 24 ahead of a long career at Arden St for David Noble. jon.ralph@news.com.au

Just bloody draft him right now.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

What is wrong with Heeney? Other than the beady eyes...

Only really suited as a forward, while I would love for Horne to become a goal-kicking mid that can rest forward.

 

[wolvesRoos]

the good thing in that article is the back story in the name. As his family had changed it as well so its not him saying hands off i want to get to Port Adelaide

 

[Tas]

Only really suited as a forward, while I would love for Horne to become a goal-kicking mid that can rest forward.

I think Swans kind of shot him in the foot playing him as a flanker for too long, a bit like how we screwed McDonald. I think he is a midfielder and that is where his strength is, just wasn't developed in that role for a long time.

 

[King Corey]

Only really suited as a forward, while I would love for Horne to become a goal-kicking mid that can rest forward.

Heeney isn't a bad worst case scenario though.

 

[justroyal]

Not signing up veterans of the club, not letting players know if they’re coming back to training, not even talking to Jason Horne. Gee whiz we are tight lipped and ruthless. I love it

 

[Kanga Glory]

SAm Edmunds on SEN said ‘to put it in perspective ‘ North like to do their meetings in person and have let Jason finish his football season.
Unlike Ralphy trying to dramatise.

 

[gokangas]

I've been a little reluctant to post this mail, but hey, f*** it.

North haven't yet interviewed JHF.

I don't claim to have an intimate understanding of the recruiting process & recall we only interviewed WAP once last year, but I do find it a bit strange.

Was good info - thanks for sharing.

 

[Sphynx]

SAm Edmunds on SEN said ‘to put it in perspective ‘ North like to do their meetings in person and have let Jason finish his football season.
Unlike Ralphy trying to dramatise.

Yep, GR I'm sure will put up the grab.

But basically North's only decision will be whether or not to bid on Daicos. JHF is a certainty.

 

[CURVE]

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Surely JHF's performances against men in the SANFL have been more impressive than Daicos' performances at NAB League Level?

Daicos' ranking is based on potential, while JHF has already shown that he can compete against and defeat men, perhaps not AFL level but the SANFL is one of the better leagues.

 

[giantroo]

Yep, GR I'm sure will put up the grab.

But basically North's only decision will be whether or not to bid on Daicos. JHF is a certainty.

Here it is

1:37min in

Sam Edmund with the latest player movement news (30/9/21)

Why North Melbourne haven't spoken to prospective top pick Jason Horne-Francis, and more.

player.whooshkaa.com

 

[giantroo]

SAm Edmunds on SEN said ‘to put it in perspective ‘ North like to do their meetings in person and have let Jason finish his football season.
Unlike Ralphy trying to dramatise.

How hard was it for Jon Ralph to get on the blower and ask the question?

 

[Kanga Glory]

How hard was it for Jon Ralph to get on the blower and ask the question?

Why it the truth get in the way of a bullshit newspaper headline grab

 

[shinboner magic]

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When did he play in an u18 GF - when he was 14

 

[gokangas]

Why it the truth get in the way of a bullshit newspaper headline grab

There was a rumour earlier suggesting his interview with North went rather poorly.

 

[DocSholl]

How hard was it for Jon Ralph to get on the blower and ask the question?

That's not how clickbait media works m8

 

[DocSholl]

There was a rumour earlier suggesting his interview with North went rather poorly.

Stop believing every negative rumour

 

[Tas]

There was a rumour earlier suggesting his interview with North went rather poorly.

You know how accurate that rumour is, he said we haven't spoken to him yet.

 

[giantroo]

That's not how clickbait media works m8

I understand but Ralph seems lazy. Pulled him up on it after the J. Kelly re-signing as well.

 

[hilly]

There was a rumour earlier suggesting his interview with North went rather poorly.

The one posted by a Crows fan who had started a megathread on JHF a year ago?

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[Tas]

Not phased about the club not contacting him at all.

Once the club seen that vision of him crumbing off the pack at a stoppage on the far wing, taking 8 bounces, balking 4 opponents, then slotting a sausage roll from 45m as a 16? year old, he could have a personality of Hannibal Lecter and we’ll still grab him..

That isn't the reality. How many bad boys who got dumped by other clubs did we take because they were skillful?

Anyway, I am sure the club will meet with him and his family and will have a good chat sooner or later.