- Joined
- 22 Oct 2014
- Messages
- 8,234
- Likes
- 43,633
- AFL Club
- North Melb.
Discussion Re-Signings, Retirements, Delistings, Trade & Drafting
- Thread starter Herbie66
- Start date
- Joined
- 21 May 2012
- Messages
- 22,366
- Likes
- 31,319
- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Know for a fact that he’s been told already this off season that he’s going to be a midfielder. The issue will always be the additional DPPs that get added throughout the season might bump him just outside the premium range cutoff we’d want. But a definite preseason watch. Just a really good, smart footballer.
FORMER top-10 draft pick Aaron Francis has found a second football home, being traded from Essendon to Sydney.
The 25-year-old swingman heads to the Swans along with pick No.42, with Sydney's future fourth-round pick and pick 37 in this year's NAB AFL Draft heading in the opposite direction.
TRADE TRACKER Every pick swap and free agency move
Francis was taken at pick No.6 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft and has played 54 games in seven seasons since.
Injury and inconsistent form kept him to just four games in 2022.
"Aaron is a player we identified as a priority to bring in during the Trade Period. We believe he has the talent and attributes to improve our team and provides added flexibility in our key position roles," Swans executive general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said.
Aaron Francis celebrates a goal during Essendon's clash against Richmond in round 10, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos
"We're really pleased to have Aaron joining us, and we're hopeful that we can maximise his talents in Sydney.
"We thank Essendon for their assistance to arrive at a trade that worked for both parties."
TRADE HUB All the latest player movement news
The Swans rejuvenated the career of former No.1 pick Paddy McCartin last season, helping him to become one of the better intercept defenders in the competition, and will be hoping for something similar with Francis at either end of the ground.
More to come
The 25-year-old swingman heads to the Swans along with pick No.42, with Sydney's future fourth-round pick and pick 37 in this year's NAB AFL Draft heading in the opposite direction.
TRADE TRACKER Every pick swap and free agency move
Francis was taken at pick No.6 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft and has played 54 games in seven seasons since.
Injury and inconsistent form kept him to just four games in 2022.
"Aaron is a player we identified as a priority to bring in during the Trade Period. We believe he has the talent and attributes to improve our team and provides added flexibility in our key position roles," Swans executive general manager of football Charlie Gardiner said.
Aaron Francis celebrates a goal during Essendon's clash against Richmond in round 10, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos
"We're really pleased to have Aaron joining us, and we're hopeful that we can maximise his talents in Sydney.
"We thank Essendon for their assistance to arrive at a trade that worked for both parties."
TRADE HUB All the latest player movement news
The Swans rejuvenated the career of former No.1 pick Paddy McCartin last season, helping him to become one of the better intercept defenders in the competition, and will be hoping for something similar with Francis at either end of the ground.
More to come
ESSENDON has added to its forward line stocks, bringing in Sam Weideman from Melbourne.
Taken with pick No.9 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Weideman, 25, played 59 AFL games, featuring 10 times for the Demons in 2022.
TRADE TRACKER Every pick swap and free agency move
But he played a lot of the backend of the year in the VFL and has been traded to the Bombers along with picks 54 and 72, with pick 37 – acquired by Essendon in Aaron Francis' move to Sydney – heading to Melbourne.
The move bolsters Essendon's depth up forward, with Peter Wright having been relied upon heavily this year, kicking 53 goals to win the Crichton Medal.
Sam Weideman ahead of Melbourne's game against Essendon in round three, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos
Jake Stringer (25 goals in 15 games) was the Bombers' next highest goalkicker, while Harry Jones (13 in 10) struggled with injuries in 2022.
Weideman is Essendon's second addition of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period after Will Setterfield joined from Carlton on Monday.
More to come
Taken with pick No.9 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Weideman, 25, played 59 AFL games, featuring 10 times for the Demons in 2022.
TRADE TRACKER Every pick swap and free agency move
But he played a lot of the backend of the year in the VFL and has been traded to the Bombers along with picks 54 and 72, with pick 37 – acquired by Essendon in Aaron Francis' move to Sydney – heading to Melbourne.
The move bolsters Essendon's depth up forward, with Peter Wright having been relied upon heavily this year, kicking 53 goals to win the Crichton Medal.
Sam Weideman ahead of Melbourne's game against Essendon in round three, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos
Jake Stringer (25 goals in 15 games) was the Bombers' next highest goalkicker, while Harry Jones (13 in 10) struggled with injuries in 2022.
Weideman is Essendon's second addition of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period after Will Setterfield joined from Carlton on Monday.
More to come
