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I honestly think that if the Crows aren't willing to offer us a pick in the 16-22 range (and I wouldn't offer that for him), we should just tell Francis that he isn't being traded this year.
No point shipping off a contracted, high-potential player for a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick in a weak draft. Even next year's 2nd wouldn't be good enough. Might as well keep him and hope that playing for his and his family's favourite club can override the fact he is homesick. Make him put in a good pre-season (seriously, Heppell should attach himself to Francis with a bull rope and never let him out of his sight), give him some more opportunities in the senior team next year, and see if it finally clicks for him.
I'd honestly rather take the risk on him having a shitty 2018 and ruining his value even more, rather than seeing him go on to win the Rising Star at another club after we traded him for a crappy 2nd rounder.
They do but that might not be wrong.
I meant the Jenkins thing. Profits from getting undersized defenders and getting cheapies out the back. Kicked 4 on an unfit Hurley who is a poor match up for the really tall forwardsEvery chance you're right.
People just seemed to have flipped on Francis very quickly and written him off.
He was a teenager 8 weeks ago.
I meant the Jenkins thing. Profits from getting undersized defenders and getting cheapies out the back. Kicked 4 on an unfit Hurley who is a poor match up for the really tall forwards
Agree and his inability to defend would fit in tooWhich would be great for us considering we try to play counter attack football all the time.
his inability to defend would fit in too
Would be cheaper to just get him a girlfriend... *thinks about how much mine costs* nah * it lets just get the house!Let's crowd fund a campaign to buy his folks a house over here and solve the problem for him. Could get a commission flat in Gisborne for a reasonable price.
What's the motivation, guaranteed a game?I think it's entirely possible Francis could be traded to another Melbourne based club - I am unconvinced about homesickness.
I can't see it. Unless you are of the belief that this whole story is orchestrated by the club in order to move him on. In which case, it seems very silly to narrow down your trade options from 17 to 2.I think it's entirely possible Francis could be traded to another Melbourne based club - I am unconvinced about homesickness.
I've been thinking about this a bit. Frankie's brother died of cancer a few years ago. The gap that can leave in a family can be immense. Mum or Dad might have depression. I'm not sure if he has any other siblings, but if he doesn't, his parents might be doing it really tough.
I'd prefer he stayed, but it's hard to begrudge the guy given his family's recent history. Sounds like, given the challenges of acquiring SSS, someone might have quietly said, if you really think you should go this might be your best opportunity.
Another redgumEvery chance you're right.
People just seemed to have flipped on Francis very quickly and written him off.
He was a teenager 8 weeks ago.
Brisbane I feel could be a win for everybody, Francis included.I think it's entirely possible Francis could be traded to another Melbourne based club - I am unconvinced about homesickness.
Depends on your definition....if homesickness means his hometown,which is essentially in between Melbourne and Adelaide, then it makes no sense.I think it's entirely possible Francis could be traded to another Melbourne based club - I am unconvinced about homesickness.
Yep, this. The rest doesn't make sense.Depends on your definition....if homesickness means his hometown,which is essentially in between Melbourne and Adelaide, then it makes no sense.
If he considers Adelaide home and has an extensive network there from his school and SANFL days then I can buy it.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport...n/news-story/f0700543bfe1c833f187ae7462501f65“Mum and Dad were pretty emotional when they left the rooms,’’ the Loxton boy said after his father David helped him fulfil his lifelong dream by presenting him with his Essendon jumper prior to his AFL debut against Brisbane last Sunday. “I didn’t see it but I heard that as soon as they left the changerooms they lost it. It was a big day for the family, the way everything came together and they were very proud of me.’’
In a remarkable twist of fate, former West Adelaide star Francis’ AFL debut came against the club his late brother, Hayden, barracked for. It also was the club’s annual “Clash for Cancer” match. Hayden died of cancer at age 18 in September, 2014.
“Making my debut against Brisbane and the fact that it was the ‘Clash for Cancer’ round just added to the whole experience,’’ Francis, 18, told The Advertiser. “My brother was a Brisbane supporter, the only one who didn’t follow Essendon in our family, and he went at us pretty hard whenever Brisbane matched up against Essendon. So I’m guessing he would have liked the result on the weekend.’’
...
“The coaches identified some weaknesses with my defensive skills, the one-on-one defending and getting led up (to the ball) too much,’’ he said. “Woosha (Worsfold) and the rest of the coaching staff challenged me to work hard on that before I could play AFL.’’
Francis expects as many as 50 family members and friends to attend today’s match against the Crows at Adelaide Oval. “Playing at home will give a lot of people close to me the chance to attend and I look forward to catching up with them after the game,’’ he said.
Essendon has endured a tough, one-win season with 12 players suspended over the supplements scandal. Francis however is excited at what the future holds for the club.
”We’ve got a lot of outstanding young players here so the future is exciting and I look forward to being a part of it,’’ he said.
Absolutely not. There’s much division.Bombers fans, are you all in agreeance in wanting him to stay?
Bombers fans, are you all in agreeance in wanting him to stay?
I support the idea that there is definitely many reasons he has to have legitimately struggled mentally the last couple of years. From what I've heard his parents want him to stay at Essendon though so not sure what to make of that side of things.I've been thinking about this a bit. Frankie's brother died of cancer a few years ago. The gap that can leave in a family can be immense. Mum or Dad might have depression. I'm not sure if he has any other siblings, but if he doesn't, his parents might be doing it really tough.
I'd prefer he stayed, but it's hard to begrudge the guy given his family's recent history. Sounds like, given the challenges of acquiring SSS, someone might have quietly said, if you really think you should go this might be your best opportunity.