TOP PICK DELAYS DEAL TALKS
JASON Horne-francis has put contract talks on hold until season’s end, despite the No.1 draft pick’s encouraging progress.
Horne-francis is in no hurry to sign a new deal with North Melbourne after crossing from South Australia last year, but has another year in his two-season deal and is thriving at the club.
Many of the players taken in the previous draft have yet to re-sign, so the lack of a signature so far is no cause for concern. If he was in a similar position next year, the Roos would be worried about rival suitors.
But while Horne-francis is a born competitor who is filthy with the club’s lack of wins so far, he is enjoying his time at the club.
The Roos had believed they were making strong progress on a new deal earlier in the season, but for now he will not consider his deal until the season is done.
Horne-francis has enjoyed an excellent first season but the one-win Roos have been battered onfield.
Horne-francis has kicked 1.3 in his eight games and amassed 149 possessions, with 85 of them contested.
Those close to him are content with his progress and are adamant his future lies at the club.
But as the Roos process the public fallout of David Noble’s apology to players for his round 3 behaviour they will have to wait on Horne-francis’s deal.
North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein is likely to move on from the Roos as an unrestricted free agent, with Carlton one of his suitors.