North Melbourne coach David Noble is confident Jason Horne-Francis will be ready to play round one, revealing what forward/midfield mix he is expecting for the number one pick.
The Roos confirmed footy’s worst kept secret on Wednesday night when they selected Horne-Francis with their prized first selection, with the club confident the 18-year-old can become a long-term player at Arden Street.
Horne-Francis starred for South Adelaide against bigger bodies in the SANFL, and despite the shorter pre-season for new draftees, Noble is confident his prized recruit will be lining up in the first round.
“We think so,” he told SEN The Captain’s Run when asked if Horne-Francis would be fit to play in the midfield in Round 1.
“'Powelly' (Tom Powell, pick 13 2020 draft) had the same experience last year, I think if they’re able to cope with a little bit more … I think it sort of balances out to 70 per cent (of the pre-season that he will complete), but you might have a period of four of five weeks when you expose them to 80 per cent and then you unload them.
“So we think there’s enough in the program, we manage their time petty well (and with) match day and all their positions. But he’ll be one of those classic young guys who comes in and who’s pretty impatient, which is great, but he’s there for the long haul, so you’ve just got to go a little bit slower early.”
Powell played 13 games in 2021.
The next question for the first-year coach then becomes where on the field to play Horne-Francis.
He’s featured as a midfielder that can go forward in the SANFL, and at 185cm and 81kg, he appears to have the attributes to succeed in either position.
North Melbourne has strengthened their midfield in recent years, including last week’s acquisition of inside bull Hugh Greenwood, however Noble still has on-ball time earmarked for the most famous draftee in the land.
“He’s so clean, he’s quick in the air, his ground stuff is elite,” Noble continued.
“I think his mix is going to change, if you looked at it right now you’d be thinking 70 per cent/30 per cent forward and midfield blend.
“Then I think as you move forward, that 70 per cent is going to be in the midfield then 20 or 30 per cent forward.
“So, it’ll be a matter of bringing him through slowly, not getting him too banged up with bigger bodies, but I think the versatility of the way that he plays, and he plays the same way wherever he goes, it’s something that we really liked.”
The AFL season will begin in late March next year, although the fixture is yet to be released.