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AAP
AAP
Sport
Steve Larkin

Horne-Francis ready to join North in AFL

No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis reckons he can make an immediate impact with the Kangaroos. (AAP)

The AFL's hottest teen talent Jason Horne-Francis says he can make an instant impact for North Melbourne after they select him with the top pick at the national draft.

The 18-year-old has been assured by the Kangaroos that they'll recruit him with the No.1 selection at next month's draft.

Horne-Francis has already featured in senior ranks for two years at SANFL club South Adelaide.

The utility, who models his game on Fremantle captain and Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, initially just wanted to get drafted.

But after game-breaking feats in the SA competition, he set his sights on being the No.1 draft pick.

"At the start, it was just trying to get my foot in the door and get me drafted," he said on Saturday while undergoing physical testing at SA's draft combine.

"But obviously after getting my name out there a bit, a goal for me was to try to go number one.

"I feel like, for me, it would be good."

The Kangaroos refused a substantial offer from Adelaide to trade their No.1 selection - the Crows offered three first-round picks with an eye on securing Horne-Francis.

And Richmond also came calling to the 'Roos, proposing a package of picks and players in return for the coveted No.1 selection.

North have told Horne-Francis they'll use their top pick on him, he said.

"I feel like I can make an impact straight away, as in I've had that two years of league footy under my belt and it's really helped me," he said.

"So I feel like I can make a pretty big impact at the start."

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