Jason Horne-Francis may have just about secured the title of number one pick in the 2021 National Draft.
Playing in the SNAFL preliminary finals for South Adelaide, Horne-Francis was enormous for his side in a heart-breaking loss to Glenelg.
He amassedย 24 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 3 centre clearances, 10 score involvements and 160 Champion Data ranking points. He topped that off with three majors.
Jason Horne-Francis in the #SANFL tonight...
24 disposals at 61%
18 contested possessions
11 clearances
2 contested marks
3 goals
2 score assists
10 score involvements
158 ranking points@SouthAdelaideFChttps://t.co/p2n4Zd6KKZ— Oliver Gigacz (@OliverGigacz) September 24, 2021
Nick Daicos has been widely touted as the likely number one selection on draft night but with the father-son prospect nominating Collingwood as his club of choice, it's possible that North Melbourne take Horne-Francis instead.
A big tick in the column for the South Australian teenager is the fact he has played a full season of football and against grown men. Daicos missed all of last season and a fair chunk of this year due to Covid.
Clubs are very cautious of the fact the Victorian kids haven't had an ideal preparation and lead-up to the draft in the last couple of seasons.
It's always been seen as a minor advantage for the SANFL and WAFL draft hopefuls to be playing against grown men but now that advantage seems bigger than ever with NAB League players sitting out the best part of two seasons.
Channel 7 commentator Rhett Biglands was full of praise for the young star on the night.
โHe provided this energy, spark and desperation and forward line pressure,โ he said.
โHe really looked to be in control with time and space. He was never rushed and the prelims didnโt daunt him.
โNo doubt heโs going on to bigger and better things.โ
