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FORMER No.6 draft pick Aaron Francis has requested a trade home to South Australia despite being contracted with Essendon until the end of 2019.
Francis' manager, Michael Doughty of TLA, told News Corp on Friday his client had asked for a trade, but conceded the Bombers were "unlikely" to release him from his contract.
"He would prefer to return home," Doughty said on Friday.
Essendon picked Francis one selection after emerging midfielder Darcy Parish in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft. The club acquired the pick from St Kilda has part of the Jake Carlisle trade.
However, the 191cm defender has managed just five senior games in his two seasons at Tullamarine.
Francis' brother, Hayden, died of cancer in 2014 and the tall backman is understood to be homesick.
Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said just last month the club was committed to Francis and had high hopes for him.
"He's a contracted player for the next two years and we have extremely high regard for him as a player," Dodoro said.
"When we drafted him we knew there would be some limitations initially because of some injury issues.
"We've got him to a point now where his fitness is really good, he runs games out exceptionally well and we're expecting a really big year from him next year.
"I'm pretty sure it will be at the Bombers and our fans should be happy to see him playing some really strong footy next year."
Adelaide and Port Adelaide will consider dealing for Francis, but both South Australian clubs already have their hands full ahead of the Trade Period's opening day on Monday.
Adelaide is in a standoff with Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions over the respective trade requests of Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron, and have emerged as a late bidder for Geelong free agent Steven Motlop.
Francis could appeal to the Crows as a replacement for Lever, but Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs shapes as a bigger priority if he again seeks a trade home.
Meanwhile, Port is set to bring in Brisbane Lion Tom Rockliff as a free agent. The Power are the Crows' main rival in the race for Motlop and have identified Melbourne forward Jack Watts as a priority signing.
The Power are unlikely to be in a position to make a play for Francis until these other deals are resolved.
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