Kane Cornes has questioned whether North Melbourne have put too much pressure on likely top selection Jason Horne-Francis.
The South Adelaide on-baller showcased his rounded game with 24 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals in his final appearance for the Panthers in September.
In a question and answer session for members on Wednesday, Roos recruiter Scott Clayton contrasted the 18-year-old with premiership captains and Brownlow Medallists of seasons past.
“He’s as good as any No. 1 in years that I can remember,” Clayton enthused.
“It’s a big mantle to carry for your whole career, and this young man will carry it amazingly well.
“I don’t necessarily want to compare him to a player, but he has the attributes of (Michael) Voss and (Patrick) Dangerfield with that power, speed and endurance combination that great players have.”
It appears certain Horne-Francis will find his way to Arden Street, where he would become the face of the Roos’ rebuild under David Noble.
“That’s as big a statement in the lead-up to a draft as I can remember,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“Usually clubs want to play down their player … now you can understand why North Melbourne have rejected Adelaide’s offer for that pick.
“But how much pressure is too much? Is he going to be better than Nick Riewoldt in 2000, than Luke Hodge (in 2001)?”
Cornes says it isn’t the first time a young South Australian has been anointed as a potential saviour.
“I remember the same conversations about Bryce Gibbs that we’re hearing about Jason Horne-Francis,” he recalled.
“He was a ‘generational player,’ (it was) the same sort of hype. I just think it’s dangerous to be giving these wraps.
“Reportedly, he can handle it. I haven’t met him, and haven’t seen him play enough, but it’s a lot of pressure to be comparing him to the best No. 1 pick of all time.
“I just wonder if North Melbourne had realised that these comments would go mainstream, whether they would have tempered expectations a little bit.”
Cornes related a conversation with a talent spotter back in 2018, when Gold Coast defender Jack Lukosius was with South Australian club Woodville-West Torrens.
“I clearly remember a recruiter said to me ‘he’s the next Malcolm Blight,’” he explained.
“It’s a lot of pressure to put on an 18-year-old before he’s even reached an AFL club … it’s a tough game, and you need a lot of things to go right.
“You need to land at the right club with a good development strategy, you need to be so highly driven yourself to reach those heights.”
Looking back over more than a decade of number one draft selections, Cornes believes it is rare they fulfil their speculated promise.
“David Swallow at Gold Coast is a good, solid player, a leader, but hasn’t reached Voss and Dangerfield heights,” he began.
“Jonathon Patton is out of the system, Lachie Whitfield is a really nice, skilful player who is going to have a really good career, but not reach those heights.”
Tom Boyd retired in 2019 after one season with Greater Western Sydney and four with the Western Bulldogs, including a near best-on-ground performance in the 2016 Grand Final.
Paddy McCartin, selected first by St Kilda the following year, was forced into an early retirement by repeat concussions.
“Jacob Weitering is a good player, best-and-fairest winner but he’s not going to reach those dazzling heights,” Cornes continued.
“Andrew McGrath is a good player for Essendon, but he’s not Voss or Dangerfield.
“Cameron Rayner, there was talk about him being the next Dustin Martin when he was recruited but he’s had some injuries and hasn’t reached those heights.
“Sam Walsh is absolute rolled gold, Matt Rowell burst onto the scene but there’s now questions about whether he has the weapons to be that kind of player.
“And (Jamarra) Ugle-Hagan last year is too early to judge.”
The national draft will be staged over two nights, with the first round to be held on November 24 and the rest of the names to be called the following night.