It shaped as one of the toughest deals of the trade period, but the potential ‘steak knives’ player to unlock Jason Horne-Francis’ move has been found.
Follow all of the AFL trade news from Wednesday October 5 below.
And join our live trade chat to get your questions answered from 9am-5pm EDT at the bottom of the article.
Watch Trading Day every weeknight from 5pm EST on Fox Footy – daily news and analysis of the AFL trade period. Stream it live or on-demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
LATEST TRADING DAY PODCAST – Tuesday Oct 4 trade wrap
Blues get ‘steal of trade period’ | 02:59
6AM — ‘STEAK KNIVES’ FOR HORNE-FRANCIS DEAL REVEALED
The Jason Horne-Francis bombshell that was dropped on the eve of the trade period could soon be solved, with Riley Bonner shaping as the “steak knives” for the deal.
The Port Adelaide halfback is contracted for next season but Nine’s Ayrton Wooley reported he has spoken to North Melbourne this week about his willingness to move.
Meanwhile the Herald Sun reports the Power are open to dealing the 25-year-old who may fall down the pecking order at Alberton next year.
They already let Karl Amon walk in free agency to Hawthorn with younger players like Jase Burgoyne, Lachie Jones, Miles Bergman and Josh Sinn already pushing Bonner.
The Kangaroos want more than Port Adelaide’s 2022 (No.8) and 2023 first-round picks for Horne-Francis, the 2021 No.1 selection, having rejected offers of three high picks for the rights to draft him last year.
They are targeting more experienced players to bolster a list that has won the last two wooden spoons, with Fremantle’s Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker to join the club via trade in the coming days.
Bonner played 17 games this past season, taking his career tally to 82 across seven seasons in black and teal.
He could either be sent directly to the Kangaroos, or be sent out for a draft pick that could then be included in the Horne-Francis deal.
Join our live AFL trade chat from 9am-5pm EDT below!
