After spending the past couple of years teaching science at St Rita’s College in Brisbane, Matthew Francis is enjoying being back in the cut and thrust of AFL football.

Francis spent a considerable part of his professional career on the football scene – which included nine seasons as an AFL player and four as head coach at local AFLQ side Redland – before focussing his energies on helping educate Brisbane’s youth.

Now he gets to experience the best of both worlds as the Brisbane Lions’ newest Development Coach.

Francis’ background is almost tailor made for such a role, and in only a short time he’s made a profound impact on the Lions players.

“I played (AFL) all through the 90s I suppose, for Richmond and Collingwood, and ended up buying a business and moving to Queensland,” Francis told Lions TV recently.

“While I was running our business, I did some coaching on the side and worked with a lot of good local coaches and had a very enjoyable time in the local competition.

“I met some wonderful people and we had some successes.”

Francis believes his recent teaching experience has also helped prepare him in terms of dealing with the players.

“Teaching has some nice skills which translate nicely into educating boys on game plans and skill development,” he said.

“I find it’s just a different classroom. It’s very similar in terms of our approach. They’re just different students – although a lot more intelligent and physically fit.”

“I’ll be responsible for developing the skills of the boys in specific areas. I’ll work closely with (fellow development coaches) Mitch Hahn and Leigh Harding.

“Our responsibility is to develop the boys’ skills in particular areas to enable them to carry out our game plan and Leppa’s instruictions.

“I specifically work with the taller players, and take a lot of direction from (Assistant Coach) Shane Woewodin in terms of our midfield set-ups.”