Josh Francou

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Josh Francou
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Personal information
Birth August 7, 1974 (1974-08-07) (age 33),
Recruited from North Adelaide
Playing career¹
Debut Round 1, March 29, 1997, Port Adelaide vs. Collingwood, at MCG
Team(s) Port Adelaide (1997–2006)

156 games, 72 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2006 season
Career highlights

Joshua "Josh" Francou (born August 7, 1974) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

Contents

[edit] Port Adelaide Career

Debuting with Port Adelaide as a 22-year-old, Francou was part of Port Adelaide's Inaugural team. He was one of the clubs best players, playing every game, averaging a respectable 15 disposals per game as well as kicking 16 goals for the year. He played every game the next season also, averaging 16 disposals. In the 1999 season, Francou missed out on just three games. Port Adelaide played in their first final in that year, going done to the Kangaroos by 44 points.

The 2000 season was a good one for Francou, racking up 22 creative disposals a match. He continued to average over 20 disposals the next season, kicking 7 goals in both years. In 2002, he once again averaged over 20 disposals, and playing all of their games for the first time since 1998.

[edit] Injuries and retirement

In his early career in the SANFL Frencou dislocated his left knee so badly it bent 90 degress forcing him out of the game for over a year. In recent times, he has been ravaged with knee-reconstructions, one in just his second game of the year in 2003, and then another injury to his other good knee in Pre-Season in 2004. He was able to get up and play every game except one in 2005 (despite battling osteitis pubis). He injured both his left and right knee.

On August 23, 2006, Francou announced his retirement after playing only 23 games since his knee reconstruction in 2003, and no games in his final year (2006). [1]

[edit] Since retirement

Josh has joined radio station 5AA replacing Port legend Russel Ebert as special comments commentator. Josh's fresh view and understanding of the game as it is today has given listeners an insightful look to what the players experience and what the coaches demand. It is believed at least two television networks are considering Josh for the 2008 football season. Josh Francou also works as a part-time Physical Education teacher at Banksia Park International High School in South Australia where he is well known and liked by many of the students.

[edit] AFL Statistics

  • Games - 156
  • Disposals - 3020
  • Av Disp per game - 19
  • Goals - 72
  • Behinds - 81
  • Accuarcy - 47%

[edit] External links