Aaron Francis

Selected with the sixth pick in the 2015 National Draft, Aaron Francis arrived at Essendon as a highly touted junior from South Australia renowned for his elite intercept marking and game-reading ability. His seven-season tenure at Tullamarine was defined by flashes of aerial brilliance tempered by battles with fitness, injury, and personal challenges, preventing him from consistently locking down a key defensive post. Seeking a fresh environment to revitalise his career, Francis requested a trade to Sydney ahead of the 2023 season. During his time with the Swans, he served primarily as a depth utility key position player, swinging between defence and the forward line to cover structural gaps when required. despite his obvious natural talent, Francis struggled to translate his junior potential into a permanent senior role, concluding his 84-game AFL career in 2025 as a skilled utility who often drifted in and out of the best 22.