Port Adelaide plans to be “fair and reasonable” as they begin negotiations with North Melbourne about a trade for Jason Horne-Francis.
The South Australian on Sunday requested a trade to the Power after just one season with the Kangaroos, where he played 17 games after being taken with pick one in last year’s National Draft.
Given that Horne-Francis showed glimpses of his immense potential and was one of the most highly-rated prospects in recent memory during his draft season, the Kangaroos have stated that they’ll be targeting more than two first-round selections as compensation.
Currently armed with pick no. 8 in this year’s draft and a future first-round selection, Power GM of football Chris Davies says Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps will work with North Melbourne’s Brady Rawlings to secure a deal that suits “both parties”.
“Jason Cripps and Brady Rawlings from North Melbourne are looking to work through a deal that’s good for both parties,” Davies told AFL Trade Radio's Trade Afternoons.
“I’m sure both of those guys will work on a deal in the next period of time.
“That (adequate compensation) is something that ‘Crippa’ and Brady (Rawlings) will work through.
“I certainly don’t want to leave this conversation or any not acknowledging that Jason is a really good player.
“Ultimately the club will be willing to work with North Melbourne to find the right trade and the right outcome for both parties.”
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey broke the news that Horne-Francis requested a trade on Sunday night, and Davies says that occurred after discussions progressed over the last 72 hours following preliminary discussions with the teenager’s manager and family.
“Over the last week or so we’ve had some contact with Jason’s manager and his family and things really progressed over the last 72 hours or so,” Davies said.
“But we’ve probably contemplated over the last week if it was something Jason was willing to do and also North Melbourne.
“It’s been 72 hours the period of time where things have certainly progressed, we thought over the last week we were a chance and we’re pleased that we’ve ended up in the position that we are at today.
“The last 72 hours was when Jason made his decision that he wanted to be at Port Adelaide and certainly making North Melbourne aware over the weekend.”
While Davies hopes to secure Horne-Francis for a deal that suits the Power, he conceded that there was no point for Cripps to enter negotiations trying to “win” the trade as that could cost them a chance at securing the midfielder.
“We’re fair and reasonable in regards to wanting the deal to be done,” Davies said.
“There’s no point going into these types of negotiations thinking you need to get a win every time.
“It’s just not the way deals get put together, we’re going into it with the understanding that Jason Horne-Francis is a really good player of high-quality talent.
“We know we’re going to have to provide something to North Melbourne that is commensurate with his ability level.
“Jason Cripps from our perspective always goes into those things trying to work with the other club to get the deal done.
“Both Crippa for us and Brady from North Melbourne will work on what the deal looks like over the next period of time.
“We hope to get things done.”
Horne-Francis averaged 16.5 disposals, 3.4 clearances and 2.9 tackles from 17 games in his debut season at Arden Street.