Aaron Francis joins Norwood Football club in SANFL recruiting coup

Norwood has emerged as the greatest threat to Sturt’s SANFL premiership crown, pulling off another recruiting stunner by luring a former top AFL draft pick to The Parade.

Norwood has emerged as the greatest threat to Sturt’s premiership crown, pulling off another recruiting coup by signing former top AFL draft pick Aaron Francis from Sydney.

The high-flying 28-year-old – drafted by Essendon from West Adelaide at pick 6 in 2015 – has turned his back on a reunion with the Bloods and joined a club that went within a straight kick of playing in this year’s SANFL grand final.

Francis is the third major signing for Norwood in the off-season, joining 2024 joint Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd, who is returning to The Parade after a one-year stint in the AFL with St Kilda, and star Central District midfielder Kade Dittmar.

“We are rapt to have Aaron commit to our club,” said new Redlegs general manager of football Daniel Menzel.

Aaron Francis in his new Norwood colours at The Parade. Picture: Norwood FC

“He has some outstanding experience at AFL level, so he will offer our club so much next year and into the future.

“Aaron is an extremely accomplished player who has played a number of key roles down back and up forward at the highest level, which was extremely enticing for us.

“He reads the game really well and adds a great dynamic and balance for us at both ends of the ground, while he is keen to take the next step leadership-wise.’’

Francis, a 193cm utility who can play as a key defender or key forward, played 54 games and kicked 12 goals for Essendon from 2016-22 before being traded to Sydney.

He spent three years at the Swans, playing 30 games and booting six goals, before being delisted after a total of 84 games in 10 years in a career curtailed by injuries.

Francis’s signature was eagerly sought by a host of SANFL clubs, including his boyhood club West.

Aaron Francis takes a high-flying mark for Essendon against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 2018. Picture: AFL Media

Aaron Francis celebrates kicking a goal for Sydney against Port Adelaide during this year’s round 6 game at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He said he chose Norwood because of his affinity with the area and the fact that he had played with a couple of its stars, Billy Cootee and Alastair Lord, at Essendon.

“It’s great to be back in Adelaide and playing for Norwood,” Francis said.

“I know the Norwood area very well, having gone to school at Prince Alfred College, which is just down the road, and some players like Billy and Alastair.

“The club is highly regarded and respected, so it was a pretty clear choice for me.’’

Francis described his 10 years in the AFL as having “a lot of highs and lows’’.

“As an AFL player I experienced a lot and overall I am very proud of myself,’’ he said.

“I’m hoping to use the experience that I have gained from 10 years in the AFL system at Norwood, while I feel I’m in the prime years of my football career and can hopefully help the club push for finals and more.’’

Sydney's Aaron Francis snaps for goal against the Western Bulldogs in this year’s round 16 clash at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The signatures of Francis, Boyd and Dittmar have catapulted the Redlegs to early 2026 premiership favouritism, along with premier Sturt, which lost only one game in a remarkable 2025 campaign.

Norwood recovered from a nightmare start to the season, losing its first five games under new coach Jade Sheedy, to go within one straight kick of playing in the grand final.

It lost the preliminary final to Glenelg by only two points after scraping into the finals but then recording convincing major round victories against Central and Adelaide.

Sturt will again be the measuring stick, having retained most of its premiership squad and regaining two of its former players from AFL clubs – Jed McEntee from Port Adelaide and Loch Rawlinson from Fremantle.

Originally published as Aaron Francis joins Norwood Football club in SANFL recruiting coup