Kane Cornes believes Jason Horne-Francis is “(Patrick) Dangerfield-esque” with the way the young South Australian plays his footy.
The 18-year-old is the likely number one pick in this year’s National Draft, with his skill on both the inside and outside of the contest making him a tantalising prospect.
His collected 24 touches, 10 score involvements, and three goals for South Adelaide in a SANFL Preliminary Final.
Cornes described the midfielder’s game style as “unique” due to his ability to merge multiple positions and skills.
“I was trying to think who he plays like, that inside toughness but then that explosion outside of stoppage,” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“He can genuinely run up and down the wing and no one can catch him, he can kick goals on the run from outside fifty.
“It’s a unique combination that I think everyone’s after, someone where you can go inside and win your own footy - he’s a good tackler, we saw that clip that went viral against Darcy Fogarty in the SANFL where he just smashed him - but then he can also just explode and score and have scoreboard impact.
“It’s Dangerfield-esque … that ability to go on, he’s not doing anything that Dangerfield wasn’t doing at the same age. I know that’s a huge comparison, but he’s probably the one that when I’ve seen him play, springs to mind.”
North Melbourne holds the first pick in the upcoming draft and also has the option of bidding on father-son picks Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy.
However, Horne-Francis would make a worthy number one pick and it’s unlikely the Roos would trade the pick for anything less than “something extraordinary”.
“Glenn Luff (North Melbourne list manager) was on Trade Radio on Friday with the guys, I think they’re pretty excited (about Horne-Francis),” Cornes said.
“He said there are a couple of clubs who have picked up the phone and asked about pick one, but it would take something extraordinary because pick one is a little bit more valuable this year than what it has been.”
With his strong SANFL form against mature bodies, David Noble can have confidence Horne-Francis could be in his starting midfield, if North Melbourne chooses to take the talented youngster.
The National Draft will reportedly be held over two days on November 25 and 26.