Essendon top-10 pick Aaron Francis has turned to part-time work and coaching local basketball as he spends time away from the club on personal leave.
Bombers skipper Dyson Heppell said that footy was secondary for the 21-year-old as he continues to seek help after four weeks away.
"I caught up with Aaron yesterday (in Melbourne), he's actually in a really good space," Heppell told AFL.com.au.
"It's great to hear that he's pursuing a couple of other things outside of footy while he's away from the club and I think he's really enjoying that.
"(He's been doing) a bit of part-time work and got into a bit of coaching at a basketball group, (it) gets him around a few of the kids and (he) shares his knowledge there."
After five games in two seasons on the Bombers’ list, Francis is yet to set a return date to the club.
"Whether or not he comes back to the club anytime soon, that'll be his call to make.
"It's a bit of an ongoing process with Azza, I'm just stoked to see he's in quite a healthy space at the moment.
“As a playing group, we’re all right behind him.”
In last year's NAB AFL Trade Period, Francis explored the opportunity to return home to South Australia before settling at the Bombers where he is contracted until the end of 2019.
