Welcome to Norwood, Aaron Francis

The Norwood Football Club is excited to announce the signing of former Essendon and Sydney defender Aaron Francis.

Francis heads to the Redlegs ahead of the 2026 season, having spent 10 years in the AFL system and playing 84 senior games for the Bombers and Swans.

He was drafted from West Adelaide in 2015, and went on to play 54 AFL games with Essendon, before heading to Sydney to add another 30 matches, including 10 AFL games this season.

The 28-year-old has played at both ends of the ground throughout his AFL career, and Norwood General Manager of Football Daniel Menzel said his experience and flexibility would add a lot to the Redlegs side.

“We are rapt to have Aaron commit to our club,” Menzel said.

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

“He’s an extremely accomplished player who has played a number of key roles down back and up forward at the highest level, and this was extremely enticing for us. He adds a great dynamic and balance at both ends.

“Aaron is keen to take his leadership to the next step, and we are really excited to see him work with our players and coaches. He will make others around him even better.

“As a player, Aaron reads the game really well. He is a strong intercepting defender, but he’s also done some great lock-down roles. You can also swing him forward if needed, so it’s exciting for the coaching group to be able to pull that lever.”

Francis was excited to return to SA and pull on the Norwood guernsey.

“I’m excited, it’s great to be back in Adelaide and playing for Norwood,” he said.

“I know the Norwood area very well, I went to school at Prince Alfred College just down the road so this is the area of Adelaide I know best. The club is highly regarded and respected, so it was a pretty clear choice for me.

“I know some players here already, having played with Billy Cootee and Alastair Lord at Essendon.”

Francis reflected on his 10 years at the Bombers and Swans.

“There was a lot of highs and lows as an AFL player, I experienced a lot,” he said.

“Starting in the Melbourne footy bubble at Essendon, it was a dream come true (being a Bombers supporter as a kid), and then I went up to Sydney and absolutely loved my time there. I got to experience football in a different light.

“Overall, I am very proud of myself.

“I am hoping to use my experience that I gained from my 10 years in the AFL system, but I am also in the prime years of my football career, so I will try to get the most out of my body, and hopefully that translates to wins, pushing for finals and more.

“I played a few school games at Norwood Oval – it’s a bit skinnier than the MCG, but the atmosphere, particularly at night is unbelievable. I’m looking forward to get stuck in.”

Francis has signed a two-year contract with Norwood, joining Harry Boyd (returning from St Kilda) and Kade Dittmar (from Central District) as key recruits for the Redlegs in 2026.