Aaron Francis

[Bearthor 9]

Very similar to Pendles once he builds a tank.

Parish reminds me of Toumpas

[jacey 333]

Very similar to Pendles once he builds a tank.

Parish reminds me of Toumpas

Very similar to Josh Toy too.

Toy was highly rated. Big body. Strong. Beautiful kick. He too was a flanker who should develop into an AFL midfielder.

MFCSS Player comparison.

[Slartibartfast 17,265]

Last bit of discussion on this bloke was close to a month ago and he is almost certain to go in the top 10 and possibly to us at 3.

Why? Are we too focused on type and not enough on genuine footy talent? Seems to tick the boxes of competitor and has skills.

You've got to admit it would be a bit funny if he ended up at pick 3 and we'd ignored him for weeks.

It's a fascinating draft. I love the suspense. I'll be a bit sad on Tuesday when it's all over.

[beelzebub 23,364]

Itll be like the morning after the big party come wed.

Still the shape and style of the list will be known in the main.

Only be the rookies left to sort

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

Last bit of discussion on this bloke was close to a month ago and he is almost certain to go in the top 10 and possibly to us at 3.

Why? Are we too focused on type and not enough on genuine footy talent? Seems to tick the boxes of competitor and has skills.

You've got to admit it would be a bit funny if he ended up at pick 3 and we'd ignored him for weeks.

It's a fascinating draft. I love the suspense. I'll be a bit sad on Tuesday when it's all over.

Spot on Bob

I think the MFC has done that in the past too often, focused on type and not talent..... I hope we get blokes who can play footy regardless of position. We need to build depth.... The rest will come

I have faith in our Footy Department, especially Todd Viney and Jason Taylor. Stop chasing potential and get guys who will perform

Im not going to pretend I know anything.. but I like the look of Francis. Goes hard and can use the ball. Good size as well

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Last bit of discussion on this bloke was close to a month ago and he is almost certain to go in the top 10 and possibly to us at 3.

Why? Are we too focused on type and not enough on genuine footy talent? Seems to tick the boxes of competitor and has skills.

You've got to admit it would be a bit funny if he ended up at pick 3 and we'd ignored him for weeks.

It's a fascinating draft. I love the suspense. I'll be a bit sad on Tuesday when it's all over.

We'll get a few days of speculation for our Pick 6 in the rookie draft.

[mo64 5,874]

Last bit of discussion on this bloke was close to a month ago and he is almost certain to go in the top 10 and possibly to us at 3.

Why? Are we too focused on type and not enough on genuine footy talent? Seems to tick the boxes of competitor and has skills.

You've got to admit it would be a bit funny if he ended up at pick 3 and we'd ignored him for weeks.

It's a fascinating draft. I love the suspense. I'll be a bit sad on Tuesday when it's all over.

You can't ignore type. Francis may be a well rounded footballer, but other than dominating as a 3rd key defender (easiest position to play), it's hard to gauge how he'll impact a game. I'd be staggered if we took at pick 3 a "swingman" who's hasn't proven at junior level that he can dominate in key roles (midfield/key forward). If he's still there at pick 7, we may well take him.

[Frank Grimes 121]

Last bit of discussion on this bloke was close to a month ago and he is almost certain to go in the top 10 and possibly to us at 3.

Why? Are we too focused on type and not enough on genuine footy talent? Seems to tick the boxes of competitor and has skills.

You've got to admit it would be a bit funny if he ended up at pick 3 and we'd ignored him for weeks.

It's a fascinating draft. I love the suspense. I'll be a bit sad on Tuesday when it's all over.

I agree with everything except this last sentence, I can't wait to be put out of my misery!

On Francis when I first found out we were trying to trade up for pick 3, I was convinced he was the reason why- just because his competitiveness and size exactly fits our drafting profile under Roos.

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

He wants to play for the Bombers, might be the only bloke in Australia but pick 3 is to high for him and he won't last until pick 7

[rpfc 28,407]

Talented 3rd tall from what I, and he, can see but applying that any other position is not easy, and I am adamant that 3rd talls should not be taken in the first ten picks.

If we get him we are picking on his talent being translatable and I hate when we make 'faith calls' like that.

[KingDingAling 3,757]

He wants to play for the Bombers, might be the only bloke in Australia but pick 3 is to high for him and he won't last until pick 7

3 is too high for him and 4 or 5 isn't, BS. Poor argument.

If he is going to be any good, then pick 1 is even a value pick.

I think Francis is the best kid in this draft, Carlton should seriously consider him at 1.

[rjay 24,919]

Talented 3rd tall from what I, and he, can see but applying that any other position is not easy, and I am adamant that 3rd talls should not be taken in the first ten picks.

If we get him we are picking on his talent being translatable and I hate when we make 'faith calls' like that.

He's looked good when he's run through the middle.

Where did Fyfe start off, wasn't he a 3rd forward or something along those lines?

I know what you mean though, adds another level of complexity to the already difficult task of making the right selection when you don't have consistent exposed form in a position.

[Gator 17,332]

Talented 3rd tall from what I, and he, can see but applying that any other position is not easy, and I am adamant that 3rd talls should not be taken in the first ten picks.

If we get him we are picking on his talent being translatable and I hate when we make 'faith calls' like that.

What do you call Jake Stringer ? Stringer was listed at 191 cm, Francis is 190 and a far better high mark. Stringer isn't a key forward and nor is he a great contested mark. He's a dangerous "third tall", who kicked over 50 goals by using his smarts, excellent leading patterns and explosive ground level play. He was taken at pick 5.

I think you pick based on talent and ability to impact games of football.

[mo64 5,874]

What do you call Jake Stringer ? Stringer was listed at 191 cm, Francis is 190 and a far better high mark. Stringer isn't a key forward and nor is he a great contested mark. He's a dangerous "third tall", who kicked over 50 goals by using his smarts, excellent leading patterns and explosive ground level play. He was taken at pick 5.

I think you pick based on talent and ability to impact games of football.

Stringer is doing at AFL level what he was doing in the TAC Cup. Was regarded as a no.1 pick before breaking his leg. I don't see that explosiveness in Francis, and I question how he will impact games at AFL level. Totally different player to Stringer.

[rpfc 28,407]

What do you call Jake Stringer ? Stringer was listed at 191 cm, Francis is 190 and a far better high mark. Stringer isn't a key forward and nor is he a great contested mark. He's a dangerous "third tall", who kicked over 50 goals by using his smarts, excellent leading patterns and explosive ground level play. He was taken at pick 5.

I think you pick based on talent and ability to impact games of football.

Third defensive tall, Francis likens himself to be.

I don't see Stringer in him, and I don't see Stringer as a third tall either in that forward line. Dickson would get the least attention of Stringer and Crameri.

[KingDingAling 3,757]

Stringer is doing at AFL level what he was doing in the TAC Cup. Was regarded as a no.1 pick before breaking his leg. I don't see that explosiveness in Francis, and I question how he will impact games at AFL level. Totally different player to Stringer.

IMO Francis reads the play better than Stringer. But I think its hard to compare Stringer to anyone, because he was touted as a no1 pick before he got injured. So I don't think any club really undersold him, it was more of a risk factor. At the time the Bullies had a couple of picks, taken the risk and it paid off. At the time of the draft, and on face value, I see less risk attached to Francis. Its all good and well to sing the praises of Stringer now, but most scouts erred on the side of caution at the time.

Edited November 21, 2015 by KingDingAling

[Gator 17,332]

Third defensive tall, Francis likens himself to be.

I don't see Stringer in him, and I don't see Stringer as a third tall either in that forward line. Dickson would get the least attention of Stringer and Crameri.

I'm not comparing them as players. I'm suggesting that Stringer was drafted as a third tall, who was capable of going into the midfield.

And yes, I know where he was touted before the horrific leg break.

[jacey 333]

Third defensive tall, Francis likens himself to be.

Not tall enough to be a KPP and no form to show he will be a midfielder.

Are we happy to draft Jared Rivers at 3?

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

3 is too high for him and 4 or 5 isn't, BS. Poor argument.

If he is going to be any good, then pick 1 is even a value pick.

I think Francis is the best kid in this draft, Carlton should seriously consider him at 1.

Please,

i rate him somewhere between 5 and 7 but Essendon will pick him if we don't, and i don't think we will.

[Lord Travis 10,729]

This kid is super talented. It will be very interesting where he is selected and where he plays at AFL level. Wouldn't be disappointed if we snagged him with pick 7.

[rpfc 28,407]

Not tall enough to be a KPP and no form to show he will be a midfielder.

Are we happy to draft Jared Rivers at 3?

I wouldn't be, but that is just my personal opinion of course.

[Farmer 881]

Stringer is doing at AFL level what he was doing in the TAC Cup. Was regarded as a no.1 pick before breaking his leg. I don't see that explosiveness in Francis, and I question how he will impact games at AFL level. Totally different player to Stringer.

One of the clips shows Francis playing as a mid, getting the ball a lot and going forward and kicking 4 goals, one from 50m.

To classify him just as a third defender is absurd. Salem's best position is in defence at present but who thinks he will end up there?

I like what we know of his character, and I agree with someone who likened him to Brendon Goddard. He would be a great marking midfielder in a couple of years.

We have no-one of that kind whereas we do have many small mids. Don't forget that Petracca ( presumably) commences this year.

[mo64 5,874]

One of the clips shows Francis playing as a mid, getting the ball a lot and going forward and kicking 4 goals, one from 50m.

To classify him just as a third defender is absurd. Salem's best position is in defence at present but who thinks he will end up there?

I like what we know of his character, and I agree with someone who likened him to Brendon Goddard. He would be a great marking midfielder in a couple of years.

We have no-one of that kind whereas we do have many small mids. Don't forget that Petracca ( presumably) commences this year.

If he's such a talent as a mid or forward, why would he spend so much time as a 3rd tall defender? If you demonstrate AFL standard qualities to play as a mid or forward, that's where you should spend all your gametime.

Francis was hyped up after his 1st game of the under 18 championships. Statistically, he did very little for the rest of the carnival. I watched the game against Vic Metro, and paid particular attention to Francis, to see if the hype was justified. It wasn't. He had a shocker.

[Members' Wing 1,106]

Not tall enough to be a KPP and no form to show he will be a midfielder.

Are we happy to draft Jared Rivers at 3?

Really?

We could do a hell of a lot worse than draft a 200 game rising star winner.

What exactly are you expecting?

[rjay 24,919]

If he's such a talent as a mid or forward, why would he spend so much time as a 3rd tall defender? If you demonstrate AFL standard qualities to play as a mid or forward, that's where you should spend all your gametime.

Francis was hyped up after his 1st game of the under 18 championships. Statistically, he did very little for the rest of the carnival. I watched the game against Vic Metro, and paid particular attention to Francis, to see if the hype was justified. It wasn't. He had a shocker.

Why did Fyfe spend so much time as a half forward, who would of guessed what sort of mid he would be?