Jason Horne-Francis in his new colours (Picture: PAFC - Twitter)
Just over a week ago, Jason Horne-Francis sent the AFL world into a frenzy when he requested a trade home to Port Adelaide from North Melbourne. On Monday, he got his wish in the biggest AFL trade in history and is “really excited to get stuck in” at Alberton.
In what would have been a long wait for the 2021 Pick 1, Horne-Francis told the media on Tuesday that joining the Power is “unreal” and expressed his delight of “coming to a club that’s been quite successful through the years”.
The former Kangaroo showed glimpses of his endless potential this year, but encountered multiple difficulties and felt like a move to Alberton would be best for his career.
However, Horne-Francis still expressed his gratitude for the club that drafted him in 2021 and said he is “really thankful” for North Melbourne and the opportunity they gave to him.
Not only is Horne-Francis now looking forward to involving himself with Port Adelaide’s famous culture and hopefully adding to it, but he also labelled his family as the biggest factor behind coming home.
“I’m a big family person,” Horne-Francis said.
The youngster declared his determination for wanting to play his best footy, which would be influenced by being surrounded by family and in a comfortable environment like Port Adelaide.
“I love my family and feel like having my family and friends around me will create that environment where I can play my best footy,” he said.
“I just want to be the best I can be and I think this environment (at Port Adelaide) will help me.
“I want to make myself and my family proud.”
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Equally as excited about the trade as Horne-Francis was Port Adelaide’s General Manager of Football Chris Davies, who expressed his excitement about getting the deal done.
“Jason is a guy we liked in his draft year. [He is] someone who we think has a large role in our future,” Davies said.
“Jason is a fantastic guy that wants to be as good as he can be.
“He’s an outstanding person and player but has the potential to make those around him better too.”
In what was a disappointing season for Port after failing to make the top eight, Davies promised to the Port Adelaide faithful that the club would be aggressive in this year’s AFL Trade Period.
He was proven to be correct, not only with Horne Francis’ move but also with bringing in Junior Rioli.
“It’s a really exciting day for our club to secure both Jason and Junior Rioli,” Davies said.
“We (the four clubs involved in the deal) all entered the period wanting something to get done and we were glad to be able to tie that all together.
“We’ve had good feedback from our club that suggests our people are excited about it too.”
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