Essendon utility Aaron Francis has been training as a forward in the pre-season.
The 24-year-old has spent time at both ends of the ground throughout his 50-game career, but is yet to truly reach his potential as a key position player.
Francis was granted a mental health break to return home to South Australia midway through last year, before returning to feature in the final rounds of the regular season and the Bombers’ elimination final loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Essendon defender Jordan Ridley told SEN’s The Run Home that Francis is set to play as a forward in 2022, which would provide added depth to the club’s key forward stocks following Cale Hooker’s retirement.
“I think he’ll play forward,” Ridley said.
“He’s trained pretty much most of the pre-season as a forward. He’s obviously a very capable defender as well, but he’s been really handy up forward.
“He’s definitely taking some big strides forward this pre-season. He’s obviously a super naturally talented player and that’s really showing.”
Francis was selected with pick No.6 in the 2015 National Draft and comes out of contract at the end of this season.
The Bombers tall is entering his seventh season at the club.