Peter Francis
Richmond, Carlton, Fitzroy and Essendon
AFL career
158 games58 goals
- Debut
- R3 1979 v ESS31 Mar 1979
- Most recent
- R17 1988 v BRB24 July 1988
Stats
1988 | ESS | 4 | 9.0 | 3.3 | 12.3 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 44 |
1987 | ESS | 15 | 12.1 | 3.5 | 15.5 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 56 |
1986 | RCH | 13 | 10.5 | 3.2 | 13.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.2 | - | 0.5 | 0.2 | - |
1985 | RCH | 18 | 13.9 | 4.3 | 18.3 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | - | 0.3 | 0.2 | - |
1984 | RCH | 21 | 14.1 | 5.0 | 19.0 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 2.1 | - | 0.5 | 0.6 | - |
1983 | FIT | 15 | 14.1 | 4.3 | 18.5 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | - | 0.3 | 0.3 | - |
1982 | FIT | 18 | 12.5 | 6.2 | 18.7 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 | - | 0.7 | 0.3 | - |
1981 | FIT | 7 | 17.0 | 5.0 | 22.0 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.0 | - | 0.3 | 0.1 | - |
1981 | CAR | 11 | 11.5 | 4.4 | 15.8 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.2 | - | 0.5 | 0.4 | - |
1980 | CAR | 13 | 12.6 | 5.2 | 17.8 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 1.8 | - | 0.2 | 0.2 | - |
1979 | CAR | 23 | 12.0 | 4.4 | 16.5 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 1.9 | - | 0.3 | 0.3 | - |
Bio
Recruited from South Bendigo, Peter Francis made an immediate and dramatic impact on the VFL after joining Carlton. He debuted in 1979 and quickly cemented his spot in the senior side, capping off a remarkable rookie season by playing a key role in the Blues' Premiership victory over Collingwood. A tall, hard-running wingman who could also operate off a half-back flank, Francis was known for his durability and penetrating kicking. However, his time at Princes Park ended abruptly in 1981 when he became the centrepiece of one of the era's most controversial transfer stories, crossing to Fitzroy in a rare mid-season trade that sent Frank Marchesani to the Blues.
Following the high-profile switch, Francis became a football journeyman, playing valuable roles across three more Victorian clubs during the 1980s. After his stint with the Lions, he moved to Richmond for three seasons and eventually finished his playing days at Essendon. While he provided experienced run-and-carry at every stop, he remained best defined by that stunning debut year at Carlton. After hanging up the boots, he transitioned into a successful off-field career, notably serving as a development coach at St Kilda and a long-time talent manager for the Gippsland Power.
Profile
- Born
- 16 Jan 1958 (age 68y 282d)
- Birthplace
- Heathcote, VIC
- Height
- 185 cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1979
Family
- Uncle:Leo Francis
- Nephew:Andrew D. Collins
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from South Bendigo, Peter Francis made an immediate and dramatic impact on the VFL after joining Carlton. He debuted in 1979 and quickly cemented his spot in the senior side, capping off a remarkable rookie season by playing a key role in the Blues' Premiership victory over Collingwood. A tall, hard-running wingman who could also operate off a half-back flank, Francis was known for his durability and penetrating kicking. However, his time at Princes Park ended abruptly in 1981 when he became the centrepiece of one of the era's most controversial transfer stories, crossing to Fitzroy in a rare mid-season trade that sent Frank Marchesani to the Blues.
Following the high-profile switch, Francis became a football journeyman, playing valuable roles across three more Victorian clubs during the 1980s. After his stint with the Lions, he moved to Richmond for three seasons and eventually finished his playing days at Essendon. While he provided experienced run-and-carry at every stop, he remained best defined by that stunning debut year at Carlton. After hanging up the boots, he transitioned into a successful off-field career, notably serving as a development coach at St Kilda and a long-time talent manager for the Gippsland Power.