North Melbourne’s wantaway Pick 1 Jason Horne-Francis has reportedly met with Port Adelaide and ruled out a move to the Adelaide Crows.
Horne-Francis shocked the football world on Sunday night by requesting a trade back to South Australia less than 12 months after landing at Arden Street.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes confirmed the 19-year old’s bid to only move to Alberton and his meeting with senior club officials.
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“I can tell you Chris Davies, Ken Hinkley, Jason Horne-Francis and his manager Ben Williams met last week,” Cornes revealed.
“Port Adelaide was really impressed by him and his character, albeit understanding he had some challenges last year and we saw that play out a couple of times – he was dropped a couple of times, put his contract talks on hold, had some disciplinary action and was suspended.
“But the prospect for Port Adelaide of getting Jason Horne-Francis, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee with Ollie Wines into that midfield, is something they’re clearly incredible excited about pursuing.
“He’s not interested at all at even looking or speaking to the Adelaide Football Club.
“Port Adelaide essentially feel like North Melbourne are open to it in. away, albeit those things can change.”
Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reported that Horne-Francis “never settled” at North Melbourne and the instability of the club, which saw David Noble sacked mid-season as well as several more departures of key staffers as the club claimed its second-straight wooden spoon.
The continued chaos at the club this off-season amid new coach Alastair Clarkson’s uncertain future is also reportedly partly driving his trade request.
Cornes believes the Clarkson/Hawthorn racism saga didn’t help the Roos’ bid to retain Horne-Francis, but ultimately thinks his trade request will come regardless.
“He was making noises about wanting to be traded halfway through the year, so I think this was on regardless,” he said.
“When you look at it as a whole, he’s a highly competitive player and clearly got homesick throughout the year.”
