Could Essendon’s Aaron Francis be a player of interest for either Adelaide or Port Adelaide this year?
Francis comes out of contract with the Bombers at the end of this season and with his place in Ben Rutten’s side not guaranteed, a move might just do him the world of good.
The former No.6 draft pick has been unable to gain any continuity during his seven seasons with the Dons, tallying just 54 matches with fitness and form constantly an issue.
He has played just four games in 2022 and has been omitted on two occasions from a team that has won just twice to date.
Francis’ current situation prompted SEN SA’s Andrew Hayes to suggest a shift back home for the South Australian native.
“Aaron Francis from Essendon. This is a bloke who is from Adelaide, he’s a West Adelaide junior,” Hayes said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“It’s his seventh year in the system, he’s going to be 25 later this year.
“No.6 (draft pick) in 2015, his best year so far has been 2019 when he played 17 games. He’s only played four games this year for a total of 54.
“The big goal for Francis this year was he was going to shift up forward and be more of a permanent forward. It hasn’t worked but what we’ve seen, even though he’s (almost) 25, he’s still absolutely stacked with potential.
“He’s had a few issues off the field, where he’s come back to South Australia to deal with mental health etc. before he’s got back into it.
“He’s off contract at the end of this year. Am I crazy in saying that I’d be making a massive play for Aaron Francis?”
Kane Cornes asked: “Who? Which club?”
Hayes touted the Crows as the best destination for Francis.
“Probably the Crows,” he replied.
“But even so, I’d be asking the question if I was Port Adelaide.
“The potential is still there and I don’t even know where he is suited. He could be up forward, he could be down back. He’s a genuine utility swingman.
“He’s got so much natural talent, but at 25, am I still saying the potential is still there or has that disappeared?”
Cornes believes Francis would be a good fit for the Crows from an age point of view, given their list profile and a gap they have in players between 24 and 27.
However, he does wonder what role he could play for Matthew Nicks’ side.
“The age is enticing and he’s particularly enticing for Adelaide because they don’t have a lot of players (in that age bracket),” Cornes said.
“Adelaide have got 25 young players and a few of the older players that are plus 28. They don’t have a lot in that 24 to 27 category. He fits that.
“But where does he play? If he comes to Adelaide it’s not going to be in the forward line because they’ve got (Darcy) Fogarty who plays the same role, they’ve got (Riley) Thilthorpe, (Taylor) Walker is going to go again, who knows what happens with (Elliott) Himmelberg.
“Down back, maybe, as that interceptor. He’s played that role pretty well.
“If it was going to be anywhere, it would be at Adelaide. We know Port Adelaide are stocked with those half-back flankers and they’ve got a couple of mid-sized forwards in (Todd) Marshall and (Mitch) Georgiades.
“For Adelaide, if you can get him for not much, there was a bit of interest from the Crows a few years ago and there was some talk he might come home, but opted to stay at Essendon.
“I wouldn’t mind him for Adelaide if you can get him for not a lot.”
Francis has kicked four goals and is averaging seven disposals and four marks from his four outings this season.
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