Rosebud boosts player development by adding Peter Francis to coaching panel
What a coup for Rosebud, with a Carlton premiership player joining the club’s Under 19s coaching panel.
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He burst onto the scene for Carlton as a dashing 21-year-old.
Peter Francis’ first season of senior football in 1979 could barely have been better – he played almost every game and capped it off with a starring role in the Blues’ five-point win over Collingwood in the ’79 grand final.
Carlton coach Alex Jesaulenko rated the curly haired kid from Heathcote, and he didn’t let him down (many thought Francis deserved the Norm Smith Medal in the grand final).
Fast forward 41 years and Francis’ footy journey has taken him to Rosebud in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League.
The now 62-year-old has taken up a role as assistant coach for the Buds’ Under 19s, focusing on player development.
“My wife and I have moved down here,’’ he said.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to meet some people…and I have been pleasantly surprised by what a great club it is, actually.’’
Francis’ football CV is vast and impressive.
He played 158 games with four league clubs — Carlton, Fitzroy, Richmond and Essendon — before captain-coaching Box Hill in the VFA in 1989-90.
But perhaps his greatest contribution to the game came working with Gippsland Power.
In 1995 Francis was appointed the head coach of Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup competition and led them to the grand final in 1999.
After the 2000 season he was appointed talent/region manager at Gippsland Power and over the following 20 years led that organisation to develop many past and current AFL players.
Rosebud is thrilled to have a man of his expertise on board.
“We at Rosebud value the relationship we have with our junior club and developing our future senior players through our U19/Development team pathway,’’ a club statement said.
“Peter has a wealth of experience in player development and we are very lucky to have him involved with our club.’’
Francis did a bit of work with Rosebud’s Under 19s earlier this year before the season was cancelled, and loved it.
“They are just terrific people,’’ he said.
“I’m really looking forward to it, and working with (U19s coach) Damien Winsor, he’s a really lovely fellow. Hopefully I can have some sort of impact on them.’’
Francis worked alongside top coaches Leigh Brown, Aussie Jones, Paul Hudson and Damian Carroll at Gippsland Power.
Francis said Carlton’s 1979 premiership was a defining moment in his life.
“I was really blessed,’’ he said.
“Jezza took over as coach halfway through the previous year from Ian Stewart and blooded the likes of Alex Marcou, Wayne Johnston, myself and a whole lot of others.
“We had the Rat Pack among them, the likes of Jimmy Buckley and Wayne Johnston, it was just a really good blend and we had some superstar players obviously.
“I love Alex Jesaulenko because he was the one that picked me first up. He defined my football life, I wouldn’t have done what I’ve done without playing in that game. And I was lucky enough to get a few kicks (in the grand final).’’
Rosebud has reappointed all of its football coaches and assistants:
Seniors: Nick Jewell, Rob Forrest, Jason Hardwick.
Development: Luke Farrelly, Marcus Gordon, Phil Jones, Michael Luck, Brenton Davidge.
Under 19s: Damien Winsor, Geoff Glaum, Peter Francis.
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