Kangaroos young gun Jason Horne-Francis has ruffled a few feathers with his latest stunt on social media, liking a mock trade post that theorised the No.1 draft pick being traded to Port Adelaide.
The Instagram post by 7AFL proposed star forward Zak Butters being traded to North Melbourne in exchange for Horne-Francis heading to the Power.
Horne-Francis is tied to Arden Street until 2023 under his standard two-year rookie contract, but is free to explore his options after that.
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The 18-year-old previously opted to delay contract talks with the Roos as he assessed the club’s direction following a horror run to date this season.
Speaking on Nine’s Footy Classified, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson expressed concern after reports the round seven Rising Star nominee was cautioned by North Melbourne after taking an interstate trip without their knowledge.
“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, a No.1 draft pick, who won’t commit to the footy club,” she said.
“We’ve heard a couple of reports about him in recent weeks that he’s been disenchanted, not happy with the way things are going at the footy club and then this after yet another shocking loss on the weekend.”
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes agreed that the build up of events with Horne-Francis is something North Melbourne is going to have to manage in order to keep him on side.
“He’s looked definitely frustrated on the bench when you’ve gone and seen him play live,” he said.
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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”.
Horne-Francis has started his AFL career strongly, averaging 17.8 disposals per game and ranking first among rookies in clearances and contested possessions and second in tackles.
But North’s one win from their opening 12 rounds has brought intense scrutiny on senior coach David Noble, who is under pressure to retain his position amid reports of player unrest, while three of its key recruiters recently exited.
Lloyd thinks it shapes a “big 12 months” for Horne-Francis as he contemplates his future.
“They (rookies) get two-year contracts, so this time next year Jason will be making a decision,” he said.
“He may have made it in his own mind right now but 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 Justin Longmuir at the moment, how good has James Aish gone – Blake Acres, Rory Lobb, Will Brodie, the list goes on (at Fremantle).
“The environment is making guys better at Fremantle, and the opposite I think at both Essendon and North Melbourne at the moment.”
Horne-Francis has since unliked the post.
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