North Melbourne head coach David Noble has poured cold water on many Shinboner's spirits by suggesting that prized draftee Jason Horne-Francis is currently outside of his best-22.
Despite reports from AFL Media's Riley Beveridge that Horne-Francis had been dominating on the training track, Noble believed that the South Australian still had some road left to travel before debuting.
"He's heading that way, yeah," Noble told Beveridge.
Having taken over at Arden Street in late November of 2020, this summer represents the first full pre-season that the Tasmanian has been afforded to guide his troops.
And although the teenager plucked with the first pick of last year's draft had been turning heads in match simulation of late, Noble remained excited about the prospect of those pushing Horne-Francis to improve.
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"I think one of the things that's been significant this pre-season is that we've got some really strong internal competition. We've had a couple of goes at looking at what our round one team is at the moment and it's probably close to 30 players that are vying pretty strongly," the second-year steward added.
"He's [Horne-Francis] got some pretty stiff competition when you talk about Tarryn Thomas, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jack Mahony, Curtis Taylor … he's going to need to keep putting his best foot forward. He's not in the team just yet, but he's certainly in the mix to perform over the next few weeks."
While comments of this nature would be enough to rattle the confidence of many rookies, it is obvious that Noble's approach is one made after careful consideration.
"He looks mature in his movement and his decision-making is really sound. He sees things ahead of the ball and that's the reason he's the No.1 pick. He's delivered everything we thought he would as a talent," the 54-year-old continued.
"As an individual, he's a ripper. He's a great young man. He's very enthusiastic, very driven and very competitive. He wants to make his mark this year."
Given North completed last season at the most southern point of the ladder, it appears a near certainty that the club's loyal fans will see their shiny, new toy unveiled before too long.
Add in the fact that the 18-year-old himself has already expressed that he is ready to rip in from Round 1, and it will be a tough task holding the Christies Beach boy behind gates for any considerable stretch.
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Irrespective of his stance that the South Adelaide product still had plenty to prove across pre-season contests against Melbourne and Sydney in the next month, Noble added that the hybrid threat was likely to start his days as a Roo ahead of the ball.
"I think we have to temper the midfield aspect. I've always believed that if they're mentally and physically ready then go ahead and play it. [But] he's probably in that forward-mid rotation I would think," he revealed.
Noble also added that it remained unlikely that Horne-Francis would spend any time across half-back as he looks to build the tank of a full-time midfielder.
"We're not tempted to play him off half-back, I don't think we need to. I would think he's probably in that forward-mid rotation. I mean, he has kicked a fair few goals as a half-forward," the genial guider said.
Following their clashes with the Demons and Swans across the course of the next month, North will start their season proper on Sunday, March 20 when they face historic rivals Hawthorn at the MCG.