Jason Horne-Francis - with the NAB AFL Draft just around the corner, his name is on everyone’s lips.
The young midfielder’s performances at SANFL level, coupled with the father/son eligibility of fellow top prospects Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy has seen him catapult to the top of the draft boards, and he’s now seemingly seen as the number one pick elect from this draft class.
While it can be difficult not to get caught up in the media storm surrounding the young South Australian, it pays to remember there’s a number of other highly talented youngsters vying to be taken with the top selection.
Being the number one draft pick comes with its pressures. The expectation to make an immediate impact and become one of the competition’s great players can be too much for some young men, with only Adam Cooney going on to win a Brownlow Medal after being taken with the first selection in a draft.
“It’s a big mantle to carry for your whole career, and this young man will carry it amazingly well. The thing about it that jumps out from him is he wants to be number one, I just get that feeling,” North’s Head of Player Personnel Scott Clayton said on the recent member Q & A, presented by AIA Vitality.
“He's (Horne-Francis) forthright. He's very determined. He's assertive, he's got everything. We meticulously rate and mark characteristics and playing position specifically. He's just a really exciting talent.
“The thing that stands out more than all of that, though, he's a great teammate and that appeals to us more than anything … the other thing that just keeps coming through loud and clear is how loyal is.
“He's really looking forward to stamping himself as professional athlete … he's as good as any number one in years that I can remember.”
A crucial cog in the development of Horne-Francis has been his ability to adapt and perform at SANFL level.
As one of the premier open-age competitions in the country, the 18-year-old has been learning his craft against fully grown men, many of whom are also vying for a position on an AFL list.
This season though, Horne-Francis hasn’t just been competing … he’s been dominating.
North’s National Recruiting Manager Mark Finnigan says that development at a higher level is part of what makes him such an attractive prospect.
“He's (Horne-Francis) got the thirst to compete and the ability to really influence games and change games, and he's done that at both his age group level and at league level in the SANFL for two years now,” Finnigan said.
“A real strong point for him is his ability to play multiple roles, and South Adelaide have done a fantastic job this year in playing him in different roles to develop him, whether it be inside-mid, forward, [or] even coming off half-back for a few weeks.
“He’s a really talented kid who's got the makeup to be an exceptional player, with the drive and determination and character to get there.”
With any young player moving interstate following the draft, there are always murmurings surrounding whether they’ll acclimatise to their new home away from home.
Players have more power to change clubs than ever before, and with many citing homesickness and the desire to be close to family as reasons for moving, it’s becoming a serious consideration for clubs across the competition.
Having joined North two years ago, Clayton says Arden Street has a number of intangibles that are easy to fall in love with.
“Clearly everyone outside of our footy club has heard of the Shinboner, but no one really knows it,” he added.
“It’s real. You get there and the Shinboner spirit and the way people behave, it’s just there. You can nearly see it. You can certainly feel it.
“When I turned up at Arden Street, the facilities blew me away. I just didn’t realise how good they were … we want for nothing.
“It’s the facility being great, the Shinboner Spirit, the behaviour of the place, which is so respectful. It’s a mighty footy club [and I’m] so proud to be a part of it.”
