Moneyball trade column: Decision time looming over new Essendon deal for Aaron Francis

Having played a career-high 14 games this year, Aaron Francis will meet with his manager in the next week to discuss his future at Essendon.

The time is nearing for Aaron Francis to make a decision on his future, with his opportunities at Essendon this year suggesting he will stay at the Dons.

He will meet with his manager in the next week to discuss his future plans, having been keen to see if he could cement a spot in the line-up as a regular.

Champion Data rates him elite as a key defender when he plays in the back six and he isn’t in any rush to move home.

The club’s coup on retaining Sam Draper gives them flexibility in their ruck issues given Tom Bellchambers is contracted for next year and Draper should get some games next year.

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Aaron Francis is likely to stay with Essendon after greater senior opportunities. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.  

CRIPPS SIGNS HUGE DEAL

Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps has signed one of the biggest endorsement deals in the game’s history with footwear giant Nike.

The ‘Nike for Life’ deal is one of the first of its kind in the AFL and will mean Cripps will wear Nike boots for the remainder of his career.
Top agent Matt Bain clinched the landmark deal which underlines the superstar onballer’s status as one of the most in-demand and marketable players in the game.

It is expected to earn Cripps a cool six-figure sum over the course of his career.

Nike Pacific general manager Ashley Reade said he was thrilled to sign Cripps for the long term, ahead of his 100th game today.

 “We are proud to have a long-term partnership with Patrick and what really excites Nike is that he is just getting started,” Reade said.

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CONIGLIO CONSTERNATION

GWS Giants’ midfielder Stephen Coniglio is torn.

The most in-demand free agent in the game still doesn’t know where he wants to play the remainder of his career.

It is causing consternation at GWS which is waiting on Coniglio’s signature before it can make other calls on its list.

Carlton is ahead of Hawthorn in the pecking order if he decides to come to Melbourne.

Stephen Coniglio is torn over his future

ARE HAWKS VETERANS HEADED NORTH?

There could be a strong Hawthorn flavour at Gold Coast next season.

We know the Suns are chasing Jarryd Roughead for an off-field position and Shaun Burgoyne as a general in the back line for 2020.

But what about star wingman Isaac Smith, Paul Puopolo or even Grant Birchall? 

The Suns are looking to inject some premiership experience and respected mentors into the club for next season, and the Hawks could be on the verge of a clean-out.

Smith is arguably the most interesting case as he has another year on his contract at Hawthorn but could find more security in the form of a longer-term deal elsewhere.

Birchall had a one-year deal in the works until his latest soft-tissue injury put that offer in danger.

Jarryd Roughead and Shaun Burgoyne have been linked with Gold Coast

PIES FILTHY WITH SIER

Collingwood is filthy with some of Brayden Sier’s conduct this year, having already believed his lack of application and poor conditioning over summer contributed to his injury issues.

He had been offered a two-year deal — which hasn’t been signed yet — with coach Nathan Buckley hinting at that attitude in Thursday’s press conference.

“We’ve been able to get the job done without Brayden for most of the year, so I think that’s a fair message for a young fella for what he needs to do.”

Collingwood is filthy with some of Brayden Sier’s conduct this year. Pic: Michael Klein

DAISY HAPPY TO GO

Dale Thomas seems remarkably content to move into retirement despite some of the best football of his time at Carlton in recent weeks.

Those close to him say that while they haven’t assessed any options for a future one-year deal elsewhere, he isn’t desperately trying to extend his career.

WHAT’S UP WITH BUD?

No one doubts Lance Franklin’s talent given he was the All Australian captain last year but after only nine games this year his body is a question mark given three more years on his contract.

As his draft alumni in Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis enter the last fortnight of their careers, Franklin is due $1.4 million next year, $1.5 million in 2021 and about one million in 2022.

If he can shrug off those minor injury issues that have still cost him so much footy this year he could finish the deal.

The contract is one of the smartest signed by the Swans given he was a free agent who has delivered in spades in his 117 games at the club but the Swans won’t want to pay out more than a year of his contract if he isn’t still playing.

Originally published as Moneyball trade column: Decision time looming over new Essendon deal for Aaron Francis