Strategy Jason Horne-Francis: North trade him to Port for massive unders

[FR0GGY]

Long term he’ll be a great mid. Short term he’ll be a solid half forward flanker.

Don’t see that at all.

 

[huludicidal]

He was excellent in the middle for the first 4-5 weeks (probably the most natural clearance player at the club) in an absolute dogsh*t set-up by the coach. I don't think he got a possession that he didn't have to go and win himself, so I'm not surprised it wore him down.

After the first two months it all went downhill from a body language point of view (and as the team got worse and worse) but it's very wrong to say he wasn't any good as a midfielder. He also played two games at VFL level and was several classes above that level. He's a very natural stoppage player.

He played predominantly half forward in the first 2 weeks of the season with very occasional bursts in the middle, as evidenced by things such as his 20 disposal, 1 clearance game in the round 2 victory over the Eagles. If he was demonstrating that he was the most natural clearance player at the club during this period, he probably would’ve actually gotten as many clearances as someone like Jared Polec (2) in a game like this. Everyone who watched the Round 1 game knows he played half forward in that too.

Yes, he did then play 4-5 games predominantly on the ball after those 2 initial games, and they were from rounds 3 to 7. One of those was the 108 point loss to Brisbane, and 2 others were thrashings at the hands of Geelong and Carlton. He was not disgraceful or anything so I certainly went a bit too hard on him earlier, but he never really did much damage with his disposals I think would be a fair way of putting it. He was also regularly exposed by his opponents going the other way. I think this is when he really started to struggle mentally with being on a shit team, and then it all fell apart after that.

So no, he wasn’t terrible or anything. But I think there were a few more flaws to his midfield game than what North anticipated they were getting from one of the most hyped number one picks of all time.

Long-term, I think he’ll be an excellent AFL mid in the mould of Dangerfield. I just strongly believe that half forward will be his main spot until 2025ish until he builds a tank, especially considering Port’s need for a half forward flanker as the likes of Rozee, Butters, Wines, Boak and Drew play full time midfield minutes, and the likes of Gray and Motlop ride off into the sunset.

I also think that playing half forward for at least the next 2 seasons is the correct move for him. Countless examples of some of the best mids of the modern era starting their careers at either half forward or half back. Kick some snags, focus on defensive pressure, focus on goal assists. This will put him in a much better position to have an impact in the middle of the ground in 2025 and beyond.

 

[huludicidal]

Don’t see that at all.

He has no tank yet, and that’s where he played for South Adelaide. Not sure what else to tell you.

 

[robboaustralia]

Wonder how Kenny boy is feeling at the moment with no JHF trade being finalised?

 

[Redline]

Surely JHF has burned his bridges at NM. He wouldn't have the support of team mates and especially fans if he was forced to stay. He didn't seem to be warmly embraced before all this went down.

Just posturing imho. He'll be traded to Port this week, NM are just trying to squeeze a bit more

Agreed, North can't really reset with him at the club as it will be a massive distraction all year.

You wouldn't want any of next years first year players around him when you are looking for a change in culture.

 

[Tex Danger]

Of course you would...

We knew we were getting rachelle at that pick last year and offered that and more

 

[kirky]

Could we dangle a Berry instead?

Why would we entertain any of giving up any of our good young players?

Seriously we have been thru hell and back since 2017 and now that we seem to have got back comradery amongst the playing group, you want to move one of our contracted young players?

 

[baldandbroke]

I’ve wavered between “do whatever it takes to get JHF, he looks a superstar” to “we have something special brewing in Rachele, Soligo, Thilthorpe, Fogarty, Berry, Worrell, Taylor. Let it go.”

I’m currently at the point where I cannot see JHF anywhere but Power either this year or next. The cost to us is too high, we should not be swapping JHF for one of our young potential stars plus plus.

If trade periods have taught us anything as Adelaide supporters, it should be that a lot less gets done than we hope.

If all that ends up happening is we don’t lose a good player we want to keep, clear out a few players that aren’t doing much for us, and add Rankine and MM, really … in the scheme of things, that is pretty great result compared to some of the rubbish we have had to deal with in the past!

If by some miracle we do more, bring in someone unexpected … I’ll be surprised and jump on board. But I’m not holding my breath.

 

[Big Dub]

Why would we entertain any of giving up any of our good young players?

Seriously we have been thru hell and back since 2017 and now that we seem to have got back comradery amongst the playing group, you want to move one of our contracted young players?

We don't have the draft capital to get both JHF and Rankine in this year, but getting them in massively improves our future prospects.

We would need to trade players, but I think we could do it without losing TT, Rachele or Fog (but everyone else is on the table).

 

[kirky]

I’ve wavered between “do whatever it takes to get JHF, he looks a superstar” to “we have something special brewing in Rachele, Soligo, Thilthorpe, Fogarty, Berry, Worrell, Taylor. Let it go.”

I’m currently at the point where I cannot see JHF anywhere but Power either this year or next. The cost to us is too high, we should not be swapping JHF for one of our young potential stars plus plus.

If trade periods have taught us anything as Adelaide supporters, it should be that a lot less gets done than we hope.

If all that ends up happening is we don’t lose a good player we want to keep, clear out a few players that aren’t doing much for us, and add Rankine and MM, really … in the scheme of things, that is pretty great result compared to some of the rubbish we have had to deal with in the past!

If by some miracle we do more, bring in someone unexpected … I’ll be surprised and jump on board. But I’m not holding my breath.

Hindsight is a marvellous thing however if NM had accepted our deal last year we wouldn’t have Rachele, Rankine and Dawson now. Makes one think is one player worth it.

Now if we think JHF is like Dangerfield, we didn’t come close to winning a flag with him hitting his peak because we didn’t have all the other pieces and even at Geelong it took them 7 years to win a flag with him in it.

 

[FR0GGY]

He has no tank yet, and that’s where he played for South Adelaide. Not sure what else to tell you.

He’s already doing fine for a first year midfielder
CBA’s clearances game time.
Rd 1: 6 4 80%
Rd 2: 12 1 72%
Rd:3 20 7 76%
Rd 4: 22 6 85%
Rd 5: 26 2 88%
Rd 6: 14 8 72%
Rd 7: 13 4 67%
Rd 8: 8 7 77%
Rd 9: didn’t play
Rd 10: 7 4 84%
Rd 11: 7 4 77%
Rd 12: 8 3 76% subbed in last
Rd 13: 7 0 82% probably his worst game
Rd 14: bye
Rd 15: didn’t play
Rd 16: didn’t play
Rd 17: didn’t play
Rd 18: 4 0 70%
Rd 19: 14 0 73%
Rd 20: 12 3 75%
Rd 21: 14 5 71%
Rd 22: didn’t play
Rd 23: 5 1 73%

Obviously dropped off in the end of the year due to fitness / checked out
From what I can see if he builds on that he’ll be more than serviceable as a mid, from the heat maps it would appear as he played of half back not forward of the ball when he wasn’t playing as a mid.

 

[crow2crow]

Agreed, North can't really reset with him at the club as it will be a massive distraction all year.

You wouldn't want any of next years first year players around him when you are looking for a change in culture.

merrett did it
dunkley did it
gibbs did it
there have been many cases where it fell through and they went on to have great seasons

i hope for norths sake he settles back in but i still think it will go through

if it doesn't it will be because port have their own concerns that 1) hes not as good as he think he is 2) there are issues we dont know 3) the risk of losing who they will lose is greater than the upside of horne

i still think giorgiades goes and trade goes through by wednesday

 

[UcantCme]

He has no tank yet, and that’s where he played for South Adelaide. Not sure what else to tell you.

How can a number 1 pick super star have no tank yet?

This makes no sense

Every coach he has had says his competitiveness and work ethic is a standout.

For a $3.5m contract and his trade cost he needs to be playing big Midfield minutes and making an impact

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[CrowsB4hoes]

How can a number 1 pick super star have no tank yet?

This makes no sense

Every coach he has had says his competitiveness and work ethic is a standout.

For a $3.5m contract and his trade cost he needs to be playing big Midfield minutes and making an impact

Sent from my CPH2211 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Don’t know about work ethic. He has a reputation for not doing the ground work in between games.

 

[FR0GGY]

How can a number 1 pick super star have no tank yet?

This makes no sense

Every coach he has had says his competitiveness and work ethic is a standout.

For a $3.5m contract and his trade cost he needs to be playing big Midfield minutes and making an impact

Sent from my CPH2211 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Clearly he’s not got a full time afl mid tank yet but he’s doing fine for a first year player.

 

[FR0GGY]

Don’t know about work ethic. He has a reputation for not doing the ground work in between games.

Doesn’t like the ice baths?

 

[UcantCme]

Agreed, North can't really reset with him at the club as it will be a massive distraction all year.

You wouldn't want any of next years first year players around him when you are looking for a change in culture.

This is BS

Everyone says that JHF has great character, ok kid let's see it

It's easy to show great character in an interview but let's see this so call great character if you need to return to the club, because we didn't see it this year when chips were down

It has also been said that JHF has great relationship within the North playing group, and as players they all understand this is now a professional industry and not every contracted player is going to get their trade wish, that's why they are contracted

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[Mutineer]

We knew we were getting rachelle at that pick last year and offered that and more

Huh?

We weren't getting Rachele if North had taken out purported offer reported in the media. Not that the club has ever said what we actually offered up officially to my knowledge.

I thought it was reported several club's had interest in Rachele though we were obviously the favourites to take him...it would appear NWM was our fall back option from what Hamish has said since.

 

[StonesThrow]

Can't see us doing it but I'd give up quite a bit for him given the player we trade is okay with going.

Pick 5 and Rachele for Horne. Next year's first for Rankine.

It's a risk, but we really need to take a risk and bring in high end mids. Horne has every trait you could ask for in a high end mid.

 

[FR0GGY]

Huh?

We weren't getting Rachele if North had taken out purported offer reported in the media. Not that the club has ever said what we actually offered up officially to my knowledge.

I thought it was reported several club's had interest in Rachele though we were obviously the favourites to take him...it would appear NWM was our fall back option from what Hamish has said since.

He means we knew we would be giving up Rachele if north did the deal

 

[crow2crow]

Can't see us doing it but I'd give up quite a bit for him given the player we trade is okay with going.

Pick 5 and Rachele for Horne. Next year's first for Rankine.

It's a risk, but we really need to take a risk and bring in high end mids. Horne has every trait you could ask for in a high end mid.

why would rachele do it ? please dont say go home. he is not from melbourne.
he has three years on contract at a team that will challenge for finals. north have no coach no ceo no hope.

anyway we do not want to lose him. seems to be a top bloke my son has met him at night clubs and stuff and said he is just a top bloke up for a chat and not up himself.

rachele is the future of the club because he appeals to the kids and that is extremely important with our aging supporter base...

 

[CrowsB4hoes]

Doesn’t like the ice baths?

That’s one example

You’d also have to question his diet going by his acne

 

[Apsaalooke]

Split 5 for 2 first rounders, use one + 23 for Rankine and the other + F1 + Rachelle (love him but can be soft at times) for JHF, trade Crouch/Frampton or go into deficit for late picks for MM, pension off Seedsman for a pick spot, add a carton of Grange or Johnny Walker Greens to the right people (under the soft cap), get some Geelong-like expediency if we’re breaking any future draft rules and, best of all, make a laughing stock of Kochie and Port once again.

Then expect a top 4 finish in ‘24 and a flag in ‘25

 

[StonesThrow]

why would rachele do it ? please dont say go home. he is not from melbourne.
he has three years on contract at a team that will challenge for finals. north have no coach no ceo no hope.

anyway we do not want to lose him. seems to be a top bloke my son has met him at night clubs and stuff and said he is just a top bloke up for a chat and not up himself.

rachele is the future of the club because he appeals to the kids and that is extremely important with our aging supporter base...

I take it all back! Didn't realise he was up for a chat in nightclubs.

 

[Mutineer]

That’s one example

You’d also have to question his diet going by his acne

Too much of Fleurieu Milk's double shot iced coffee while working on their loading dock ya reckon?