I am such a big fan of Aaron Francis. I know he isn't exactly what our list needs and is not a Victorian but I honestly believe he will be a superstar. His reading of the play, aggresion, courage, aerial skills and kicking are elite. He has the ability to play anywhere, a characteristic that works in the moern game. I think he is better than Parish but seem to be in the minority on that one.
From the draft prospect vids on YouTube. He looks good. But could he transition into a monster mid?
Be very careful about being besotted by a highlight reel. Think Blaine Boekhorst.
The youtubes aren’t all “highlight reels” , some are "all involvements in a match, good and bad. They’re much more useful.
Anyway, I have questions over his midfieldness, but worst case he’s a 191cm Michael Hurley who can go forward or back effectively and hates to be beaten (and has done it at SANFL senior level). Maybe his kicking isn’t quite as good. But he also been more exposed through the middle.
Rd 1 next year he can play instead of Steinberg. And long term who knows.
The question is obviously how much upside, as he’s a beast already compared to a skinny Parish type, so how much has he peaked already. I’m less worried about that sort of thing now than I was 5 or 6 years ago, because I’ve decided that the ability to put on weight is valuable in itself, and I’ve seen a few guys who I worried were man-children, come on OK, as well as the others never grow.
It does depend on the role.
Not sure on tank, but a beast midfielder doesn’t necessarily need a Robert Harvey tank. Especially if you can be effective forward. Think Zeibell or Dustin Martin.
Of course that means you need a solid midfield without him. Which is not necessarily where we will be. (although I have more faith than some…)
We have a Francis already in Laverde. I’d happily take another, but Parish could be our next Smoking’ Joe, and that would be brilliant.
Parish number 1 for me, and if we miss him, Francis please.
To go right away from pick 4…somewhere further down the draft I don’t mind the look of Tahana. Good frame and speed. Looks to be able to play, although apparently mostly has played behind the ball.
Any thought from the South Australians in particular?
I am such a big fan of Aaron Francis. I know he isn't exactly what our list needs and is not a Victorian but I honestly believe he will be a superstar. His reading of the play, aggresion, courage, aerial skills and kicking are elite. He has the ability to play anywhere, a characteristic that works in the moern game. I think he is better than Parish but seem to be in the minority on that one.
From the draft prospect vids on YouTube. He looks good. But could he transition into a monster mid?
see for yourself. He started mid for this game and was tagged for a bit too. The link leads to the full game of SA v WA.
I am such a big fan of Aaron Francis. I know he isn't exactly what our list needs and is not a Victorian but I honestly believe he will be a superstar. His reading of the play, aggresion, courage, aerial skills and kicking are elite. He has the ability to play anywhere, a characteristic that works in the moern game. I think he is better than Parish but seem to be in the minority on that one.
From the draft prospect vids on YouTube. He looks good. But could he transition into a monster mid?
Be very careful about being besotted by a highlight reel. Think Blaine Boekhorst.
We have a Francis already in Laverde. I'd happily take another, but Parish could be our next Smoking' Joe, and that would be brilliant.
Parish number 1 for me, and if we miss him, Francis please.
I Dont know enough about the specific players but agree on list balance/ player-type needs if we rate both as similar talent levels.
From what has been said he needs a bigger tank . From those that know , how far of is he in endurance ? Because what he can do is very impressive . With the interchange rules changing , a big tank will be even more necessary next year .
I think he will be the best player to come out of this draft.
It will be possible for him to gain a big tank but it will take awhile. He is not a natural long distance runner.
He will end up being an everywhere man. He will be thrown into areas where the need is greatest. Think Burgoyne at Hawthorn.
He will be able to play bursts through the midfield right from the start but will spend most of his time off the half back flank or linking up over the half forward flank.
He is tall but should never be used as a KPP. Just does not have the body needed for it.
We have a Francis already in Laverde. I'd happily take another, but Parish could be our next Smoking' Joe, and that would be brilliant.
Parish number 1 for me, and if we miss him, Francis please.
I don’t see any comparison between Laverde and Francis.
Charlie Curnow should probably be in the conversation for our first pick as well. Has had some massive games since coming back from injury.
Curnow seems the one with big upside. Fulfills a forward need and am I right in suggesting he might be able play through the midfield too if he works on his tank?
Curnow’s always been talked about as a ‘plays anywhere’ utility. Francis AFAIK was seen mostly as a kpd before showing a few tricks fwd and running through the middle a bit in the course of this year.
I haven’t seen Curnow play (next week, with any luck…) but given he missed most of the year injured, I suspect his tank has suffered a bit and he’s being used mostly as a forward at the moment until he gets some match fitness back…