The son of North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer is set to join the Kangaroos as a father-son selection at next month’s AFL draft.
Jackson Archer, 18, is described as having similar traits to his famously combative father.
“When you see him play you know straight away whose son he is, he’s aggressive and highly competitive,” North’s football manager Brady Rawlings said in a statement on Friday.
“It’s a good foundation to build on in today’s footy.”
Glenn Archer, acclaimed as North’s ‘Shinboner of the Century’ in 2005, played 311 games including two premierships for the Roos as a hard-nosed backman.
His son is also a defender though smaller than his father, who after retiring had two stints on North’s board – a role he relinquished in July this year.
The Kangaroos will secure Jackson at the national draft on November 24-25, being able to match any bid for him from a rival club – if a bid doesn’t come, they can select him with their last pick.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
North have the number one pick at the draft and have told standout South Australian prospect Jason Horne-Francis they will select him, while the club also hold selections 20, 42, 47, 72 and 77.
The Roos will delist injury-prone wingman Jared Polec but have assured the 29-year-old they will again pick him up via the rookie draft.
The move was designed to offer greater flexibility to bring in younger talent at the draft, Rawlings said.
“We’ve obviously got a couple of premium selections at the top end of the draft,” he said.
“But having more picks after that provides a great opportunity to bring in some talented players.
“Jared’s cooperation with this list option has been appreciated and will not affect his opportunities at AFL level in any way.”
Polec, who joined North in 2019 from Port Adelaide after having a previous stint at Brisbane, played only five AFL games in 2021 because of hamstring injuries.
Elsewhere, Gold Coast have added the nephew of motorsport legend Peter Brock to their rookie list for 2022.
Sandy Brock, a key position player from Darwin, is the third Northern Territory product to join the Suns’ AFL list since they entered a partnership with the NT government in 2019.
The 198-centimetre 18-year-old was one of two academy pre-selections added to the club’s rookie list along with Gold Coast product Bodhi Uwland.
Ace
Roar Rookie
I agree with your point on Horne-Francis starting his career as an outside player such as the wing. More freedom to run and carry . And to use his goal kicking potential . But not sure of his defensive side to that role
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Trent Dumont, Will Walker and Dom Tyson being delisted makes them all the more skinny at the position, which makes Polec a required player until North can find a long term solution. North played Luke McDonald on the wing a bit and tried out Polec as a sub when they beat Carlton (snigger). Maybe they'll put Jesus Horne-Francis on a wing and watch him destroy sides from the wide open spaces of Bellerive (unless he catches a cold out there).
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Primary list and rookie list have no difference nowadays. The AFL realistically should make rookie list for players being drafted and then they get promoted to the senior list once they enter their third year and enter free agency at the end of their second contract, be that 4 years after being drafted or 10. Clubs should also have veterans lists for players in their final years with clubs able to pay part of their salaries outside the cap, which is exactly what North are doing with Polec. Category A rookies can be picked in the AFL team any time, unlike Category B rookies, but people still get confused because it used to be the case that clubs couldn't use rookies unless they designated a long term injury to a senior listed player. It appears that bringing in the supplemental selection period and the mid-season rookie draft required that caveat to be removed because what would be the point of drafting a top-up player if they couldn't play?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
There are only a couple sides that have too many wingmen. North thankfully aren’t one of those sides. I think Geelong have too many wingers and maybe Essendon. Most teams need those good accumulators that can get the ball and distribute it out to people
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Well he’s 29 so even if he stayed at one club he’d be on his last legs
Ace
Roar Rookie
I agree Charlie. I could see Polec as an interchange Wingman . He has the natural craft needed in that role . Its harder to manufacture someone to do that role.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Maybe. So far his failure to buy into 'team' has damaged his reputation. Brisbane. Then Port. Now North. On his last legs.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Polec cost a first round pick at the end of 2018. The context of the Kangaroos is dramatically different now since then but I think he definitely still has at least 2-4 years in him