Hope the kid can get the best out of himself because his upside is huge. Please leave him down back he looks a natural
As frustrated as I was when I heard he wanted(rumoured) to leave I am glad he is still here
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I agree with most of what youāve said there, especially about defence being easier to play. (How good would Joe look as an intercept defender?)
Thing is thoughā¦ There isnāt a heap of room in our forward line, and while I can see Francis eventually taking Hookerās spot, it wonāt be next year. So as far as opportunities go, heāll get way more in the back half next year than the front.
Either way, I think they need to pick an end for him, and leave him there.
The kid needs confidence. Play him in a position he can dominate then challenge him as time goes on.
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Hookerās 29 and could easily go back if Francis was to make it as a forward. Hurley and Ambrose are locks, and Hartley and Brown are ahead of him too.
Iād play Hurley as a genuine key defender with Ambrose. Iām not sold on Hurley playing loose. Brown is actually pretty capable as a third tall, while Iād only play Hartley if Ambrose was injured.
So Iām not sure there are more opportunities in the back line. As I said in my earlier post, finding a suitable matchup each week could be an issue. Looking at the Grand Finalists, Iāve got no idea who heād play on against a mobile forward line like Richmondās got. Against Adelaide someone like Lynch or McGovern would run him up and down the ground for fun.
ā¦and, in keeping with the tenor of the times, is 18 or older.
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He has been a defender all his life and is a very good intercept mark. Use his strengths, settle him in and let him get some confidence and consistency
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Woosha loves a swingman.
Remember when Plan A was Hunter back, and Plan B was Hunter forward.
Nothing wrong with playing both Hurley and Francis back, and capable of going forward.
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Teams need to re-assess using top end picks on key forwards - They need to carefully study the physical characteristics of big key forwards along with their agility, and better predict how these big forwards will transition from no zoning in the TAC Cup to the way forward lines are set up in the AFL.
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dominating kids as a man child doesnāt translate well to being a dominant afl player.
that being said, these kids need a good 4-5 years to get ready.
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I feel like you should be banned from this thread.
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Iām only just softening up from that game saving mark in the vfl months ago
has got the hurley beast mode about him
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No tiene nada que ver!
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Question: Who would he replace in the forward line? l couldnāt see him displacing any of the players from this season, and now the forward division just got stronger with the arrival of Stringer and Smith, plus the continued development of Begley. l just donāt see any space in the forward half for me. Down back he looks like he could take Hartleyās spot, providing his fitness is up to scratch.
l would like to see him matched at least for a little while with Stringer as his training partner. Both have the build but they both need to build their tanks. Francis could be anything in 2018. l think he will arrive, and force the league to sit up and take notice. He has all the attributes needed and hiring his own personal trainer is a step in the right direction, as it shows he is committed.
For the record l did not want him traded and was confident he would be retained. He is a required player who is just about to hit his straps. Get around him.
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Appreciate the intent of the post is to support Francis, but i think itās a pretty significant exaggeration to suggest that the highlight of the clubās most productive trade period in more than 20 years was retaining (primarily due to lack of interest from the SA clubs) a 20y.o. whoās shown very little at either AFL or VFL level to date.
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When does mongrel training begin?
I wouldnāt call Ambrose a lock. Still has a bit to show imo before thatās the case. And while Mitch Brown is very handy, if Francis canāt push past him this year, then wellā¦
Iād also like to see Hurley play more lock down, and I reckon Francis could slot into Hurleyās current role sooner rather than later. I canāt see him moving into Hookerās spot this year, though.
Basically, I agree with you long term, but canāt see it happening in the short term.
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I donāt expect a breakout year this year for Francis. Heāll take longer. Iāll be happy if he shows some genuine improvement and is happy at the club.
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Do you work in banking ?
I hear heās using this guy to train him
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This is 100% Hookers moment. Heās an enormous talent. Heāll come back and have an unbelievable season. There is/will be a spot for his taking.
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