Being from SA, neither Port or the Crows wanted him in 2017. Can’t see the draft and player trading in 2018 being used to pick up Francis. The poor guy has never got over the death of his brother. Let us hope he can come back because he is really a very good player when on song.
In a purely football sense this is a real blow to our list profile. Laverde and Langford draft is perilous at the moment also. We need to see something emerge here or it may well be that we basically have Darcy Parish to show for two drafts that we featured prominently at the pointy end.
On a personal level we all wish Francis the best of course, talking purely footy here.
I also reckon Redman ain’t gonna make it (going early I know), so there goes Melksham for nicks too, mind you he isn’t in the same ballpark as Carlisle or Ryder, but still a solid B grader
I don’t think you’re going early on Redman. It’s his 3rd year and he doesn’t seem close to selection. He’d want to show something pretty soon. Pretty sure he’s contracted for 2019, but if he doesn’t start progressing it will be a wasted spot
Spoke to a player manager recently and he said similar. Not just for Essendon - anywhere. Very disappointing as he has so much ability. Priority has to be his health but purely from a supporters view definitely disappointing.
would have been nice if we had Hopper or Curnow on our list. ah well. cant win em all.
fwiw i wouldn’t give up on kid. id like the afl to consider a special mature age rookie spot for him if he does get right enough. similar to ramas situation.
a mental health issue should be given that much gravitas.
what aaron knows is footy. its exactly what he will need when his mind is healed. not left delisted by a club.(although i do predict it may happen)
It is always costly when a top 10 pick flops… but on the back of draft sanctions it is crippling. We needed to make all the right moves and we just plain lucked out.
The Langford/Laverde situation is a little different… picks 19-20ish aren’t the pointy end - a lot more misses than hits… both of them are around the ballpark of expectations.
Ah Chee, Wielderman, Curnow, Kennedy, Hipwood… there was plenty of talent around that would be handy in our team but there is no way to predict it would go this way.