In his second consecutive match on return from a calf injury – in which he was sidelined for five weeks – Francis showed terrific awareness and courage, taking nine intercept marks, along with 21 disposals.

It didn't take long for Francis to have an impact on the match, as he looked at ease across half-back from the opening bounce.

His mark, going back with the flight of the ball, in the third term was a major highlight for Bombers fans. Some of his ground work was just as impressive as his aerial work.

Francis' selection was ultimately secured through a trade for Jake Carlisle, who controversially crossed to St Kilda.

Francis was plucked with pick six in last year's draft, immediately after the Bombers chose Darcy Parish, who has already shown his potential in the AFL ranks this season.

At 191 centimetres, Francis has begun his career as a defender, but has been earmarked to play further up the ground.

The Bombers were up against it when they faced the Tigers on Saturday, given Mark Jamar was a late withdrawal and Shaun McKernan was a carry-over player and did not take his place in the team until the second half.

It meant that Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric was dominant against Bombers back-up Sam Michael. Although Michael was admirable, this was Maric's best opportunity to strut his stuff, desperate for an AFL recall against North Melbourne on Friday night.

Yet, the Bombers were level at quarter time, led by six at half-time and by three-points at the final change.

Richmond had plenty of opportunities in the opening term. It had five behinds on the board – three of which were from Callum Moore – before Jack Langford kicked the opener to the Bombers at the 12 minute mark.

That was the type of match it was; not free-flowing, but instead a struggle, that aside from Francis' thrills and other young hopefuls pushing for an AFL call-up, was a game without purpose.

It was the only VFL match for the weekend, due to Sunday's state league clash between the VFL and SANFL. Bombers skipper Dan Coghlan missed Saturday's clash because of it, but coach Matthew Egan suggested that it was well deserved after "a fantastic couple of years".

Arguably, Jackson Merrett's goal, when he was released by Sam Heavyside at the seven-minute mark of the final term, was the most important one of the match. This exemplified the type of struggle it was. It was only the Bombers six goal of the match and it gave them an eight-point lead.

Soon later, Heavyside kicked another to extend the lead out to 14-points, which was the biggest lead of the game. The floodgates had opened when Eades had kicked his second goal; he snapped one earlier in the second term.

Merrett won the Sir Doug Nicholls Medal for best on ground. He had amassed 27 disposals to three quarter time

The win propels the Bombers to fifth position, albeit it has played at least one extra match than other opposing teams.

Meanwhile, Geelong confirmed that forward Mitch Clark will make his much-anticipated return against Sandringham at Simonds Stadium next Sunday.

The Brisbane Lions and Melbourne key forward had reinjured his calf in January; the latest in a long history of soft-tissue injuries.

Clark has not played an AFL match since round nine of last season.

The 28-year-old is out of contact at the end of this season, but Cats coach Chris Scott said the club has been "consistent" with their "long-term approach" with Clark.

Clark is almost certain to return alongside Sam Menagola, a mature age recruit who injured a posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a NAB Challenge match in February.

The Cats are also anticipating midfielder Scott Selwood will make his return through the VFL, possibly the following week against Footscray at Whitten Oval.

Sunday
State League match: VFL v SANFL, Adelaide Oval 1.40pm