Thought this was worth sharing- Hidden pain of a rising AFL star

Couldn't get around the pay wall, but he's obviously been through a bit the poor kid!

Very talented prospect. I suspect (and hope) that Gold Coast take him at Pick 3 in order to help Curnow fall to us at Pick 6.

Thought this was worth sharing- Hidden pain of a rising AFL star

what a sad story. so quick, so young

He seems an interesting character and an interesting, dynamic player.

Combined with Howe's likely departure, If the article about Salem moving to the midfield has any real weight then adding Francis to the backline becomes more and more sensible.

Would be a good match if he was still available at our first pick.

Be a great coup if he slips through to pick 6 (& we haven't traded it)!

Check out the two links below:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/south-australias-aaron-francis-looms-as-smoky-to-be-taken-at-pick-no-1-at-the-national-draft/story-e6frf3e3-1227510627221

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-06-11/u18s-draft-bolter-dominating-at-both-ends

Pass. I can see him sliding well down in the draft. After the hype of being a draft bolter, he was ordinary against Vic Metro. He's not a midfielder, and he's not a key position player. He's plays a role as a 3rd tall backman, and that's not a high priority for us.

Pass. I can see him sliding well down in the draft. After the hype of being a draft bolter, he was ordinary against Vic Metro. He's not a midfielder, and he's not a key position player. He's plays a role as a 3rd tall backman, and that's not a high priority for us.

Our current 3rd tall defender options are basically Lynden Dunn and Colin Garland.

Neither are especially great and neither are especially young (28 and 27).

We've got almost no coverage for them and the likely loss of Howe also opens up a tall defender/utility role that Francis would likely fill to a much better standard anyway.

In a draft that I'm mostly not excited about, Francis seems one of the more interesting and suitable options.

Pass. I can see him sliding well down in the draft. After the hype of being a draft bolter, he was ordinary against Vic Metro. He's not a midfielder, and he's not a key position player. He's plays a role as a 3rd tall backman, and that's not a high priority for us.

I think he'll eventually make it as a forward. But if he can play midfield, then it adds another string to his bow. You say he is not a midfielder and not a key position player, a lot of people were saying the same thing about Bontempelli. Francis is more athletic than Bontempelli, and he is better overhead.

Need him taken before our pick to give us the best chance of getting the one we need, Charlie Curnow

I think he'll eventually make it as a forward. But if he can play midfield, then it adds another string to his bow. You say he is not a midfielder and not a key position player, a lot of people were saying the same thing about Bontempelli. Francis is more athletic than Bontempelli, and he is better overhead.

Every highlight of Francis was of him taking a mark with no body pressure. I'll give him credit for his ability to read the ball, but he's not going to get that luxury in the AFL. If we're after a midfielder, I'm not interested in someone who doesn't play as a midfielder as a junior.

As a junior, Bontempelli was far more of an athletic beast than Francis, and that has translated at AFL level. Francis may well become a good AFL player, but I think we should be going for a genuine mid.

On the limited amount I have seen him reminds me of Michael Hurley.

I believe Carlton wanted to let Kreuzer go if they got pick 2, to use on Francis.

He looks like a natural footballer. I'd take him for sure if he was available at pick 6

On the limited amount I have seen him reminds me of Michael Hurley.

Bit of a hybrid of he and Brendan Goddard.

Would take him over Curnow.

Natural footballer. Competitive. Great skills and mark.

Those suggesting that he is not a midfielder should have a look at the successful midfields at the moment. They all boast some large mids who didn't necessarily begin their careers in the middle. Francis appears to have great strength and power in the legs and hips and wins many one on ones with his balance and power. We are in real need of this. It's like the opposite of Watts, who has the skills with hands and feet but doesn't have the core strength to win those one on one duels. he has genuine footy smarts as well.

Would take him over Curnow.

Natural footballer. Competitive. Great skills and mark.

The reality is we're not likely going to have the opportunity to take him over Curnow with pick 6, less so if we happen to trade that choice away.

The reality is we're not likely going to have the opportunity to take him over Curnow with pick 6, less so if we happen to trade that choice away.

Of course, but hypothetically speaking if we had the choice I'd be picking Francis.

I'm betting that Francis slides past our pick 6.

http://www.sanfl.com.au/maccas_cup/draft_hub/aaron_francis/

I'm betting that Francis slides past our pick 6.

I don't like betting on sliders but I agree with stmj on Francis and obtaining pick 3 for someone like Curnow or Francis would be a good choice.

I don't like betting on sliders but I agree with stmj on Francis and obtaining pick 3 for someone like Curnow or Francis would be a good choice.

With picks 3 & 7, let's hope we draft both!

If he can't play as a big mid fielder, then he's undersized. Get a pure mid or key position size forward.

My only query is that we may be looking for someone taller ,to be a pure second forward and help out with the Ruck duties.

According to the age today the chance of a first round pick exceeding the games played by chris yarran are 11per cent

A general argument on the variable results of first round picks vs established players

Looked at games played for first rounders since 1998 I think