Former North Melbourne coach David Noble has commented on Jason Horne-Francis’ desire to leave Arden Street.
The No.1 draft pick has requested a trade out of the club and back to South Australia after just one season in the royal blue and white.
Noble was the first AFL coach of Horne-Francis and although he admits he felt little surprise at the announcement, he didn’t feel from the outset that the 19-year-old wanted out.
“I certainly wasn’t surprised this morning to hear of it,” Noble said on AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.
“We felt there was interest mid-season, genuine interest, (but) not as in, ‘Here’s an offer’.
“But he's a South Australian player. Having worked at the Crows, I know how hard it is to make sure you get those return players coming back.
“We felt there was probably some genuine interest mid-season.”
Was the interest from the Power or the Crows?
“A bit of both,” he replied.
“They track them a little bit, they would have spoken to Benny Williams, his manager, about where he’s at and how he’s feeling? Is he homesick?
“(There was) nothing substantial that we were ever concerned about.”
In a bid to jockey up the draft order in 2021 to land Horne-Francis, the Crows had tabled their early pick in last year’s draft plus two first-rounders for this year in exchange for pick no.1 and a future second-rounder.
The Kangaroos declined that offer and Noble insists it was never seriously considered by the Roos.
“No, we actually spoke to the family about moving here (to Melbourne) and whether or not that was an option to continue to support,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve discussed at other clubs with other families that might have some portability to come and support the player in that first year or two.
“We were at that point, so there was no alarm bells at all in regards to him departing or asking for a trade.”
Noble was steadfast that Horne-Francis embraced being the number one draft pick and never showed any disinterest during their time together at North.
“He did (embrace it), very much so,” he said further.
“He was one of the most determined and driven young men I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
“He certainly was embracing of being the number one. It didn’t faze him.
“He was very genuine. He embraced the Melbourne side of things and he embraced North Melbourne.
“By the time I’d left I felt there was a really clear direction for him to take. I thought when Alastair (Clarkson) was appointed I thought it would be exceptionally good for Jason.”
North Melbourne will now consider its options regarding Horne-Francis who is reportedly only interested in joining Port Adelaide.
POWER WILL BE “FAIR AND REASONABLE” AS THEY HOPE TO SECURE HORNE-FRANCIS TRADE