Player Watch #10: Aaron Francis - Omitted - 11/4

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JayJ20

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You know what our real problem is? Getting players that are actually better forwards than defenders. Every time I have hope and every time it gets crushed.

Let me dream!
 

freddy mercury

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I hope we get 10 or more games into him. Hes an elite talent in the air as we've all seen. Could slot nicely across half back taking maybe ambrose spot? Or maybe play 7 defends and leave him loose? Either way we need him to play consistent footy cos blokes like him don't grow on trees.

Only downfall is he's insurance which I am sure will get better this preseason, looks of things he's lost some of that puppy fat he carried last season already. which is a fantastic sign.

Also wonder how he will go playing on an opponent each week in the AFL. Being the AFL you hardly defend one on one anymore so that could help him.

Francis Hurley Hartley as our 3 key backs, im pretty happy with that.
 

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Rack Watts

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Because we need to kick goals? Tired of having players unsettled in positions. Hurley would have come on earlier than he did, if he was kept down back, he was a back. Francis has elite forward attributes, just put him there and have him mirror Jarryd Roughead.

Hooker, Hurley, Hartley, Ambrose, Brown.
Compared to
Daniher, Stewart... Bellchambers.
 

onthemove77

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Hey lads, can someone tell me who is lighting up the track at bomber land and is expected to have a break out year. I've read a bit about Langford doing the hard yards on his break is any of the other young brigade doing the same?
 

eth-dog

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Because we need to kick goals? Tired of having players unsettled in positions. Hurley would have come on earlier than he did, if he was kept down back, he was a back. Francis has elite forward attributes, just put him there and have him mirror Jarryd Roughead.

Hooker, Hurley, Hartley, Ambrose, Brown.
Compared to
Daniher, Stewart... Bellchambers.
Pigeonholing him as a forward robs us of his biggest and best attribute: the ability for him to influence the game from any position on the ground. It's like having Brendan Goddard play one position for his entire career.
 

WEEVZ

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Pigeonholing him as a forward robs us of his biggest and best attribute: the ability for him to influence the game from any position on the ground. It's like having Brendan Goddard play one position for his entire career.
Agree that he shouldn't necessarily be pigeonholed in one particular role or another, but I do think he can be settled into a position and still be capable of helping out in other parts of the ground. Personally I probably wouldn't make him our full-forward (though I'm sure he'd excel in that role given the opportunity), but I would use him as a high half-forward/half-back/3rd tall and utilise his mobility that way.

For mine if you're shifting players around too much and not giving them the opportunity to settle in and get comfortable in a role, you'll severely limit their development potential. Hell if Francis is settled into one position for another he'll be great regardless.
 

Westlo

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Yeah while he could be anything.... he needs to be settled into a position this season. 3rd tall down back would be a great way to introduce him to the game for real after the glimpses of this season. His career could mirror Pavs....
 

Rack Watts

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You're tired of modern football?
Do Franklin, Kennedy, Lynch or Cameron play anything other than forward? Francis has three attributes of a dominant forward, we already have dominant backmen. Just keep him there, and let him develop.
 

The Fact

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With a guy like Francis, why pigeon hole him?
Because we need a ff and he looks like a powerful ff something we haven't had for a long time.
Daniher, Fantasia, Laverde and Francis will make a dangerous forward line.
Don't forget Langford.
Do Franklin, Kennedy, Lynch or Cameron play anything other than forward? Francis has three attributes of a dominant forward, we already have dominant backmen. Just keep him there, and let him develop.
Agreed and its the same thing with langford and laverde they look to be natural forwards lets not try and make them something their not. Personally i think our drafting has confirmed the position of these 3 boys. Its starting to sound like a pretty good forwardline with them and joey
 
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