Matthew Francis (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Francis is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Richmond
and Collingwood
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
Francis was an injury plagued ruckman and key position player, recruited from Ballan
in the 1988 VFL Draft
. He debuted in the 1990 AFL season
but would make a total of only 19 senior appearances in six seasons playing at Richmond. In both 1993 and 1993 he didn't play a single AFL game.
Traded for Robert Powell
, Francis joined Collingwood in 1996 and was able to play 10 games in his first year, followed by a career high 15 appearances in 1997. He participated in three Anzac Day clashes.
In 2008 he was appointed coach of Queensland club Redland
. Although they finished with the wooden spoon in his first season in charge, Francis guided his club to the finals in 2009. He resigned as coach early in the 2011 season after some disappointing results.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
and Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Francis was an injury plagued ruckman and key position player, recruited from Ballan
Ballan Football Club
Ballan Football Club is an Australian rules football Club which is in the Central Highlands Football League. The Oval is situated in the Ballan Recreation reserve where The Ballan Bowling Club, Tennis Club And Netball Club are situated, The Netball Club which is affiliated with the Football...
in the 1988 VFL Draft
1988 VFL Draft
The 1988 VFL National Draft was the third annual National draft held by the Victorian Football League . It consisted of a pre-season draft and a national draft....
. He debuted in the 1990 AFL season
1990 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 1990.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 154...
but would make a total of only 19 senior appearances in six seasons playing at Richmond. In both 1993 and 1993 he didn't play a single AFL game.
Traded for Robert Powell
Robert Powell (footballer)
Robert Powell is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond Football Club and St Kilda in the Australian Football League ....
, Francis joined Collingwood in 1996 and was able to play 10 games in his first year, followed by a career high 15 appearances in 1997. He participated in three Anzac Day clashes.
In 2008 he was appointed coach of Queensland club Redland
Redland Australian Football Club
Redland Australian Football Club is a Redland City-based Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-History:...
. Although they finished with the wooden spoon in his first season in charge, Francis guided his club to the finals in 2009. He resigned as coach early in the 2011 season after some disappointing results.