I for one have not written off James Frawley (my old man thinks he is a spud)

He is quick ,can deliver the ball well (albiet with an unco looking style), and has good height

personally I would like to see him given some freedom off a half back flank/wing to use his dash and be a 3rd man up when required

I can see him in a Paul wheatley role down the track, I don't think he will ever make a full back

thoughts??

I think the sudden rise of Warnock, Garland and Martin, along with the "fit" Jared Rivers will force the hand of Frawley's career and probably speed up judgement.

He will have to play somewhere else. I've always thought he has pretty good evasive skills for his size and loves to attack the game, so perhaps a role as a wingman who floats back could be an option

I have probably been a bit unfair to him in the past but he HAS to cement a spot in the side somewhere this year or i think he is in danger of getting delisted or traded!

I reckon he's best hope would be taking the opposition's 3rd best forward.

I liked what I saw of him in the 2007 pre season games, as he had a bit of run and carry about him and wasn't afraid to take the opposition on in our defensive 50.

However since then he's failed to impress me and probably the majority of supporters.

Wouldn't be surprised if the club shopped him around during trade week.

I think that James is going to take a while BUT I think he will take Belly's role. He is not afraid of body contact, he is quick, he has good height and I think he has better awareness than Belly. I agree that he has shown some signs that he might take to the 'run and carry' game style. HE needs more grunt - more weight on the frame. So he can take the annoying midsized small forward and run off him.

He was drafted as a KPP and has had two years and 20 games in the system. The lad needs time!

It's unbelievable how we're collectively so quick to draw conclusions on young players.

I think the club made a mess of Chris Lamb's career by never deciding whether to groom him as a big bodied defender, or a lighter running tall back. I recall the club getting Lamb to trim right down one pre season, what they did then was throw him on Sav Rocca in the first round of the NAB Cup. He was monstered.

There's conjecture as to whether Frawley is best suited to a key defensive post, or a medium half back flank role. I think he's got the makings of a good full back. Importantly, Bailey and co need to decide on a playing path for the boy, and develop him accordingly.

  Wise Monkey said:

He was drafted as a KPP and has had two years and 20 games in the system. The lad needs time!

There's conjecture as to whether Frawley is best suited to a key defensive post, or a medium half back flank role. I think he's got the makings of a good full back. Importantly, Bailey and co need to decide on a playing path for the boy, and develop him accordingly.

Two years in the system and we expect a finished KPP product. I don't get it either.

I think he's got the tools to being a good fullback too and I believe he should be groomed as that.

Groom him for his best position and with Martin, Garland and Warnock and KPP talls being worth a little bit more then usual in, say 2010. We're in a good position to trade.

Heard him speak at a function. He has grown since he joined the MFC. He is now 195 cms. Agreed he needs to put on some muscle and will hit the gym pre season.

When he bulks up a bit if he retains his pace he should be very valuable.

He just needs to learn to kick with accuracy and penetration. There is no room in the game now for wonky kicks under pressure, especially in the backline.

  Pepe Dee Pew said:

Heard him speak at a function. He has grown since he joined the MFC. He is now 195 cms. Agreed he needs to put on some muscle and will hit the gym pre season.

When he bulks up a bit if he retains his pace he should be very valuable.

195. Excellent. I've got confidence he'll put on weight cause he does have the frame to fill out.

I haven't seen much I've liked... But then I don't even care. I won't start marking him until he's 21/22/23.... If he showed something before then, A la Matty Bate I'd be happy, but I really couldn't care less.

Monkey-boy, I absolutely agree about needing time. I'm certainy not saying that he cannot imrove or will not improve over time. He needs more grunt and more exposure to the top flight. And you are right about deciding where to play him - a KPP back will do

Right now he is behind Rivers, Garland, Warnock and Martin - 5 key defenders in the one team just doesn't work. Garland going up going forward and possibly Martin pinch hitting further up the ground may give Frawley a chance but I doubt it would be a long term scenario.

There's always injuries I guess.

Depth player?

I think right now that he might not have the body to play KPP so I'd play him instead of bell on the smaller forwads. I'd still want to move him over to the gorillas if it works out. That said, he may be one of those blokes who plays smaller than he is. He was pick 12 I think - we really need to find out if he can develop. So, given that we know what bell can do, I'd prefer frawley in that role.

Dapa Dan, couldn't agree with you more! All players (Watts Included) should be given until the 23yr old bracket to "prove" themselves. DB and Co would probably be thinking the same. We all know how quickly a defense can change without a backup option. I believe Frawls will make it. Any reason why he couldn't play small? Maybe not a Rioli type forward but maybe a Murphy or Steve Johnson.

This time last year there was an article saying he had put on 8kg since joining the club. I bet he has put on alot more since then.

He's a defender. KPP. In two years time he will be forcing Warnock out of the side.

I'm not a huge wrap for him (and was hoping we would try to offload him in trade week given he would have some value as a recent first round draft pick) but he does have some very useful attributes that may allow him to develop into a good player. Something i noticed previously was that while he is very good at staying with his forward on the lead etc, he is pretty useless defensively, ie. he'll be there but he won't be able to get the spoil in. I'm hoping this is something that can be taught. I think issues about his disposal are overrated and from what i have seen, he is adequate in that area. Worth persisting with but im not expecting much.

Give the guy a break and some more time

One would think playing in a mediocre team at best like ours would be hard enough

I do recall one player taking quite a long time to come good

If he was starting his career today one Gary Hardeman would have been delisted or traded by some posters here

Frawley looks to be a solid defender that can provide some dash out of defence. limited oppurtunites this year. But showed he can mix it with the best in the game against Carlton when he was moved on to fev and did a great job!

Will be a solid defender I have no doubt. He needs more time to develop, and with that will come confidence. He's a chip off the ol' block, a few more spuds and he'll be right to go. Quick for his size, honest player in the making. More opportunities will come his way if Rivers cannot get back on the park.

Daniel Bell has been around longer.............

  Dexter23 said:

Dapa Dan, couldn't agree with you more! All players (Watts Included) should be given until the 23yr old bracket to "prove" themselves. DB and Co would probably be thinking the same.

Should we have kept Heath Neville and Isaac Weetra?

I dont think there is a one size fits all policy for players. Each player is mix of different attributes and style and developmental needs and the Football department need to consider those issues in their assessments.

I'd like to see what Frawley can provide over the next 2 years.

  Rhino Richards said:

Should we have kept Heath Neville and Isaac Weetra?

I think the theory definitely applies to talls. If it was a "perform within 3 years or your out" philosophy, other clubs would pounce on players like Thorp.

Otherwise, yes, the theory when applied to those two just doesnt fly.

I know Weetra had 2 season. Did Neville have 3?

Can't remember it exactly, but I loved the Quote from Danny Frawley about how Chip likes to be "in the cage" & how it takes a special player to play there.

I think he'll make a gun stopping defender one day, someone you can use to shut down a fev type.... but looks like he already has, some times at least.

  morton09 said:

Frawley looks to be a solid defender that can provide some dash out of defence. limited oppurtunites this year. But showed he can mix it with the best in the game against Carlton when he was moved on to fev and did a great job!

I would have hate to have seen how many goals Fev would have kicked if he done a poor job.

ATM Frawley has showed nothing he looks pretty useless, but that doesn't mean he can't improve. At the start of the year Garland was all at sea and Warnock was close to playing in Sandy's seconds now they are our CHB and FB. He must start to grab his chances because the more times he fails the less confidence the club will have in him. Warnock, Garland and Martin have already jumped ahead of him in the space of a year and I don't think he has the football smarts to play of half back he must make the key position his own or the game will pass him by just like it did to Lamb.

Give the kid a break.......he's only recently turned 20....yes 20. Warnock on the other hand has only just shown that he can play at this level and he will be 25 in march.

In 3 years i believe that Frawley will shown us why he was a first round draft pick and will have pushed Warnock out of the starting 18. (i hope)