Ran 15.8km tonight. Most on the ground, and played a fair bit down back. Building nicely
McCluggage who?
Dodoro got it right with this kid. He is going to be something very, very special. That kick, under pressure, into the corridor that set up chain leading to the Stringer goal was just brilliance.
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He was so good tonight. Just broke the lines and never ever ever panics
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So good to just sit back, relax and know that this kid has it all. The best thing about him as has often been pointed out- he has built his defensive game first- and to a fault, this probably literally effects his attacking game.
Is going to shred teams as a linking, ball carrying mid for the next decade.
Got a mild corrective paddlinâ at half time and amended his ways.
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Yep, just goes to show how good a little constructive paddlinâ can be
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Was great seeing him best Florent in that one on one in the last
Both going to be super players
Starting to come into his own
we finally got to see the first of many McG to Zerrett left foot rocket goals tonight
some of his dashes out of the hb, decision making and kicks were bellisimo
quietly building just doing his job
15.8kms on the GPS tonight⌠for a 2nd year player!
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In a few games this year and early last night heâs hesitant to take the game on. Confidence will grow, he is such a good player when he takes the game on.
On another note I thought he could have chased harder but when I saw +15km on the GPS tracker itâs justified, he gave his all.
Yep, we havenât seen anywhere near the best of this kid yet.
Is the type who will carry this side to wins off the back of his own efforts. A lot like Heppell. Just a matter of time.
Love the way he moves in traffic, if the rule changes have the desired affect we will be seeing a lot more of it next year.
Will be our best midfielder before the end of 2020
Liked what I saw of his game but still needs a fair bit of work on his kicking. Have all the confidence that he will fix that and that would thrust him into the elite status
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Wouldnât mind Florent in out H/F line.
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Having a very solid 2nd year, imagine what heâll be like in another 12-24 months.
Good fox sports article posted elsewhere about McGrathâs friendship with Francis as well as Parish article on Essendon homepage.
Love the look of our future.
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imagine posting the article.
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Essendonâs Andrew McGrath says Aaron Francis has âturned his whole career aroundâ with his work to get back to AFL football
AFL
Anna Harrington
July 28, 2018 11:49am
ANNA HARRINGTON@annaharrington
Source: FOX SPORTS
Aaron Francis embraces Matt Guelfi after the final siren on Friday night.
Aaron Francis embraces Matt Guelfi after the final siren on Friday night.Source: Getty Images
WHEN looking at the winnersâ circle on Friday night, there was one face that stood out.
Young Bomber Aaron Francis was a welcome member of the Bombersâ tightknit group, comfortably slotting into his first AFL game of the year.
Francis made a quiet entrance onto the field five minutes into the Bombersâ clash with Sydney â the final steps of a long road back to senior football.
A tick over two hours later, he was enjoying the spoils of victory â made even sweeter by his journey to reach that point.
Round 19
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Fellow youngster Andrew McGrath reflected fondly on his close friendâs return to senior football.
âItâs awesome to see him back in the senior team,â McGrath told foxfooty.com.au.
âHeâs such a talented player, such a great kid around the club and Iâm so happy for him.
âHeâs one of my good mates and just to see him smiling and being out there for a great win was awesome.â
There is clearly no denying Francisâ talent.
The young Bomber is strong in the air, classy with ball in hand and has a natural ability to read the play.
But there has never been any question mark on the South Australianâs ability.
Special extended pre-game show live and exclusive from the MCG today at 1pm. The only place on TV to watch the game: FOX FOOTY (channel 504 on Foxtel).
Aaron Francis comes off the ground with Darcy Parsh and Andrew McGrath on Friday night.
Aaron Francis comes off the ground with Darcy Parsh and Andrew McGrath on Friday night.Source: Getty Images
Francis lacked fitness last season, failing to earn a senior game after Round 7 while struggling to make a big impact at VFL level.
The former No. 6 draft pick then requested a trade home to South Australia â but was unable to secure one.
Francis also had an interrupted pre-season, having taken leave from the club in February to deal with a mental health issue â with the Bombers backing in the youngsterâs decision â a call football manager Dan Richardson described as âextremely courageousâ at the time.
Since his return to the Bombers in March, Francis has worked hard to earn back a spot in Essendonâs senior team, regaining fitness and plying his trade in the VFL.
McGrath says the work the 20-year-old has put in behind the scenes has âturned his whole career aroundâ compared to this time last year.
âHeâs turned his whole career around, really. He probably couldnât run out a game fully at the end of last year and he knew that,â McGrath said.
âAnd tonight, you wouldnât even know he was unfit, he was covering the ground, he had an awesome game.
âHe just does a lot of extras. So heâll finish training, go into the altitude chamber, do a bike (session). Just extra aerobic stuff and itâs really paying off.â
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Essendon young gun Aaron Francis on the move on Friday night.
Essendon young gun Aaron Francis on the move on Friday night.Source: News Corp Australia
As late as July 8, coach John Worsfold said the 20-year-old would have to wait for a spot to open up in defence, in order to feature at senior level.
The 20-year-old responded in his next two VFL games, averaging 19.5 disposals, six marks and four tackles against Richmond and Collingwood.
Then, ahead of Round 19, the call-up came.
And once Francis had entered the field, it was like heâd never left.
His first kick of the game was a clever, deft chip to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti inside 50 â at a time when many of his teammates had been blazing away with their forward line entries.
âWhen you hear stories about Aaron Francis and that heâs a natural footballer â thatâs what they mean,â Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on AFL Nation radio.
âHe understands the game.â
Francis finished his night with 14 disposals, four marks, four inside-50s and two score assists.
It was a solid return to senior football â with flashes of the class and composure that saw him rated so highly in the first place.
âI thought he played his role as we had hoped,â Worsfold said post-match.
âHe fit in really well with the backs down there and (Iâm) really pleased.â
And if the 20-year-old keeps progressing like this, the in-form Bombers should have plenty more to smile about.
Bold is just for boot.
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