Aaron Francis vs Sam Weideman vs Josh Schache

[MC Bad Genius]

The last day of the trade period always seems to have a number of chain reaction trades, but it's usually not for such remarkably similar players as this year. I noticed that the press releases for each of these three players was almost identical - where the destination club was looking for someone to shore up their key position stocks with added flexibility at both ends of the ground. Then I looked onto Footywire and they are basically the exact same player:

	Aaron Francis	Sam Weideman	Josh Schache
Age	25 yr 2 mo	25 yr 3 mo	25yr 1 mo
Attributes	193cm / 92kg	195cm / 94kg	201cm / 94kg
Draft	2015 (Pick #6)	2015 (Pick #9)	2015 (Pick #2)
Debut	2016 (Round #18)	2016 (Round #20)	2016 (Round #1)
# of Games	54	59	72
Average Disposals	11.5	9.0	9.8
Average Marks	4.5	3.4	3.8
Total Goals	12	62	78
Total Brownlow Votes	0	0	1

The only real difference is Francis has been used almost exclusively as a defender, Weideman as a forward and Schache a bit more everywhere. Will a new home be the impetus for any of them to take that next step forward? And if so, who will end up having the best post-trade career of the 3 of them?

 

[RUNVS]

Even though a week ago I had no opinion of him what so ever I have suddenly come to the completely unbiased conclusion that Francis will be a very good player and just needs a change in locations to bloom.

 

[Dazb86]

Schache as a wingman might work

 

[Ash1337]

Francis. He was cruelled by being in 1 of the worse defensive teams in the comp and having no real support. He was trialed forward in 2021 & 2022 with no effect.

 

[La Dispute]

The next key forwards taken became Coleman medalists.

Big sliding doors moment for each of these clubs.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Francis, all between the ears with him. Has the talent to be elite.
Happy to see him move just because he's such a likeable bloke, who's had a tough life.

 

[RandB]

Schache. I'm impressed with his 1 Brownlow vote.

 

[Heaps of fun]

God who cares. Three crabs.

 

[Foxx]

Francis if his head is right.

 

[MF]

Francis, all between the ears with him. Has the talent to be elite.
Happy to see him move just because he's such a likeable bloke, who's had a tough life.

Yeah I didn't even know about his brother until today. Can understand how that would have a huge impact on your career

 

[HairyO]

Proof that often there are no winners in trades.

 

[citizen-erased]

Francis the better player in his U18 year
Swans the better system

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Francis can be a very good player and will hopefully thrive in an environment where they actually develop players.

He is a marking half back flank. That’s his spot. We played him there for about 10 minutes and he shone. After that he was thrown to full back to play on monsters (not his go, not big enough), and then… forward.

He has his issues but he couldn’t have landed at a worse club.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

It’s funny that of the six KPFs taken in the first 12 of that draft the only three still on their original list play for the only club to not make finals since 2015

 

[Red Black and Blue]

He is a marking half back flank. That’s his spot. We played him there for about 10 minutes and he shone.

Still sometimes have wet dreams about that Port game where he took the hanger on Ryder.

 

[00Stinger]

God who cares. Three crabs.

Probably all 3 are best 22 at North

 

[Heaps of fun]

Probably all 3 are best 22 at North

Hurr durrrr.

 

[00Stinger]

Hurr durrrr.

yeah he would probably be best 22 as well

 

[Heaps of fun]

yeah he would probably be best 22 as well

Lol

 

[Skippos]

It's Francis unless Weideman or Schache can recreate themselves as defenders. Both are proven mediocre as hell forwards and that won't change overnight.

Francis had a clear situational factor that effected his output - he's a 6'4 bloke who doesn't have the game to play 'key' - but because of Essendon's structure/lack of great keys/Jordan Ridley

14

Jordan Ridley

Age

25

Ht

195cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.6

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

4.5

3star

M

6.4

5star

T

1.7

4star

MG

244.8

4star

D

17.0

4star

K

11.9

5star

HB

5.1

3star

M

6.7

5star

T

1.7

3star

MG

265.4

4star

D

13.8

4star

K

9.6

4star

HB

4.2

4star

M

5.2

5star

T

1.4

4star

MG

208.2

4star

pre '22 playing the role Francis wants to, he was forced to.

At the Swans if he's able to play as that 4th defender who can zone off/intercept/use his beautiful kicking, I reckon we'll see a lot more of the u/18 Aaron Francis who was an absolute jet off half back. Obviously he needs to get the tank/noggin right too.

 

[raskolnikov]

Even though a week ago I had no opinion of him what so ever I have suddenly come to the completely unbiased conclusion that Francis will be a very good player and just needs a change in locations to bloom.

That's a coincidence. I just came to the same conclusion about Weideman.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

It's Francis unless Weideman or Schache can recreate themselves as defenders. Both are proven mediocre as hell forwards and that won't change overnight.

Francis had a clear situational factor that effected his output - he's a 6'4 bloke who doesn't have the game to play 'key' - but because of Essendon's structure/lack of great keys/Jordan Ridley pre '22 playing the role Francis wants to, he was forced to.

At the Swans if he's able to play as that 4th defender who can zone off/intercept/use his beautiful kicking, I reckon we'll see a lot more of the u/18 Aaron Francis who was an absolute jet off half back. Obviously he needs to get the tank/noggin right too.

He plays similarly to the McCartins who you would expect would be a long way in front of him at the moment for a place in the 22. I think he's shown the most promise of the three at AFL level, I just don't see a ready made role for him at Sydney just yet. I suppose they could trial one of Tom or Paddy forward, but failing that I think they have intercept marking reasonably well covered.

 

[Jetafl]

Hands down Francis what player doesn't get better and improve playing for the Swans. They have a knack of getting the most out of someone from another club. Francis has got high end talent that he has never fulfilled, but if he gets the between the ears right, he is a perfect fit up there. I would have been happy to have him out our club but given our lake of list spots it wasn't to be.

 

[eth-dog]

Should be Francis. Hope it's Weideman

 

[Ambrosia]

Francis ability to play as a flanker should make it easier for him to fill a role and capitalise on his talent compared to the other 3.

Still think there is an AFL standard KPP in Weideman just how far above that level he get is the question.

Schache is a less athletic 200cm Mitch Brown. Smart footballer who just doesn’t have the physicality to impact AFL.