[3] Francis was considered to be the best utility in his draft group, showing talent for South Australia, dominating games from both ends of the ground.

After the match he said "It was a big day for the family, the way everything came together and they were very proud of me.’’[6] Due to personal struggles, coupled with failing to find opportunity in Essendon's best 22,[7] during the 2017 AFL Trade Period, the difficult start to his AFL career culminated in Aaron requesting a trade away from the club he supported as a child, Essendon, to move back to South Australia.

However, as little interest was shown by both the recent Grand Final Runners Up, Adelaide Football Club, or the Port Adelaide Football Club, Essendon chose not to release Aaron from his contract, which was due to expire at the conclusion of the 2019 AFL season because they still saw the untapped potential which swayed them to draft Aaron with pick 6 in the 2015 national draft and fully backed him to improve.

[9] Surprisingly, Aaron spent this time mainly in Melbourne - including a stint coaching a local junior Basketball team - all while the club and his teammates stayed in contact.

[13] which to the AFL communities surprise, did not even receive a nomination in the lead up to the 2018 Brownlow Medal night, when Swan Isaac Heeney took out the award.