Coaching legend Kevin Sheedy has high praise for Bombers’ youngster Aaron Francis after brilliant finish to last season

AFL legend Kevin Sheedy says boom youngster Aaron Francis has the potential to become a future Essendon champion. Which Bombers greats does the young defender remind him of?

Essendon’s Aaron Francis and Dyson Heppell.

AFL legend Kevin Sheedy says boom youngster Aaron Francis has the potential to become a future champion of the club.

Francis, 21, will take over Brendon Goddard’s permanent position across half-back next season as the bolstered Bombers attempt to jump into the top-four.

The No.6 draft pick dominated with his intercept marking in defence in the final five games of last season after taking some time away earlier in the year to deal with mental health issues.

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In the final-round win against Port Adelaide, the 193cm Francis pulled in 11 marks among his 19 possessions, including six contested grabs.

Sheedy, who is one of the most revered coaches in the game, said the South Australian had shown similarities to Bombers’ greats Neale Daniher and Billy Duckworth.

“I really like him and the club has been patient. He has had to be patient with his own self, which is great because he has gone through some difficulties,” Sheedy said.

“From a point of view of looking at a possible champion – which he could be if he’s dedicated himself – when you see what he did in the last month, he reminded me somewhere between Duckworth and Neale Daniher.

“He uses the ball really well when he gets it and he reads the play well and cuts it off in defence.

“I think he has got an exciting future. He has got a number that this club really respects, too, No. 10.”

Aaron Francis (left) wrestles with Jake Stringer at pre-season training. Picture: Michael Klein

Francis will target his first full pre-season with Essendon over summer after returning from the off-season break in great shape.

Spearhead Joe Daniher will also work his way back into full training in preparation for a Round 1 return against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium after missing the bulk of last season with a groin problem.

The duo form part of an enviable crop of young talent at Tullamarine including Andrew McGrath (20), Darcy Parish (21), Kyle Langford (21), Jayden Laverde (22), Orazio Fantasia (23), Jake Stringer and Adam Saad (both 24).

Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro is also in the midst of adding former Fremantle ruckman Zac Clarke as a rookie to support Tom Bellchambers in the ruck next season.

The AFL has confirmed Clarke will not have to nominate for the draft.

Aaron Francis gets some encouragement from skipper Dyson Heppell.

The Bombers have the second least experienced and fifth-youngest squad, according to Champion Data.

“I think our list is in an exciting position at the moment and we really believe we are in a period of sustained success,” Dodoro said on the club website.

“We are in a sweet spot as far as age demographics of our list. “

Sheedy was equally excited about former Bulldog and All-Australian goalkicker Stringer, approaching his second season in red and black.

“Jake Stringer, I think, is at about 60 per cent of his talent,” Sheedy said.

“I reckon if we get that boy up, this club could really have a pretty exciting next two or three years.”

Essendon has not won a final in 14 years, but Sheedy said the club was in a strong position after adding breakaway clearance machine Dylan Shiel from the GWS Giants, in the trade period.

“If you’re thinking like Bomber fans would be, I’d be really looking forward to our way through (to premiership contention),” he said.

“We’re going to be 150 years old as a club very shortly – and there’s not many 150-year-old clubs in the world – and I think somewhere near between now and then we are going to peak.”

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