James Frawley

[dazzledavey36 55,855]

i was looking back through demonland and demonology and was reading all the topics about how we picked up frawley and not james sellers or jack rewoldt. i was gobsmacked about how many people had written negative things about this kid and saying its luke molan all over again!! i think now that its the end of the year we can all say Chip has been impressive. has played more games then sellars and reiwoldt put together. and i think another tough hard pre season and a couple of months in the gym we could see a bigger and better james frawley. i like this kid and i think he could fill a full back spot in years to come.

whats peoples thoughts?

[grazman 7,504]

i was looking back through demonland and demonology and was reading all the topics about how we picked up frawley and not james sellers or jack rewoldt. i was gobsmacked about how many people had written negative things about this kid and saying its luke molan all over again!! i think now that its the end of the year we can all say Chip has been impressive. has played more games then sellars and reiwoldt put together. and i think another tough hard pre season and a couple of months in the gym we could see a bigger and better james frawley. i like this kid and i think he could fill a full back spot in years to come.

whats peoples thoughts?

Agree. I think he will be the player that Essendon wanted Kepler Bradley to be. I didn't really take much notice of the people that were bagging him. CAC picked him and that was enough for me. Both Sellars and Riewoldt may be good players, but Frawley has shown enough to suggest he will be very, very special.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Agree. I think he will be the player that Essendon wanted Kepler Bradley to be. I didn't really take much notice of the people that were bagging him. CAC picked him and that was enough for me. Both Sellars and Riewoldt may be good players, but Frawley has shown enough to suggest he will be very, very special.

Agree. It also highlights how much stock you should place on posters who made big uninformed calls on players who have only just been drafted.

Frawley looks alright to me in his first year.

[Jarka 767]

Frawley hasn't shown anything 'special' yet, let's not get carried away, but being a KPP he still has a couple of years in development ahead of him. With the games he's played he hasn't set the world on fire, but he hasn't been useless either, Jack Reiwoldt though is going to be a very good player, you just have to see him play to realise it.

Most of the 'scribes' had Frawley going in the 30's or 40's and us taking him in the first round was a big shock.

[grazman 7,504]

Frawley hasn't shown anything 'special' yet, let's not get carried away, but being a KPP he still has a couple of years in development ahead of him. With the games he's played he hasn't set the world on fire, but he hasn't been useless either, Jack Reiwoldt though is going to be a very good player, you just have to see him play to realise it.

Most of the 'scribes' had Frawley going in the 30's or 40's and us taking him in the first round was a big shock.

I think he has, he has shown that he has excellent awareness, he has pace, is a reliable kick and has courage... but then I tend to see things differently to others. I think along with Riv and Petterd he can provide the class we need down back.

Most of the phantom drafts I read had him rated as a first round pick. It's also well known that West Coast wanted him and would have taken him with their first pick, I don't think he was that much of a shock.... it's just for some reason people preferred the big footy appraisals of Sellars as opposed to Jim.

[The Fergburger 0]

Frawley has been a great find for us this year with his fast running and backing himself in pressure situations but he really needs to work on HIS KICKING!!! the 'scribes' had him at 30-40 due to the fact that he had a very ordinary kick but the club thought they could work on his kicking in the off season. His kicking has improved a bit this season and it should continue to improve as he matures into a bigger body.

This Kid has a real future ahead of him and i think that it was a good decision to pick him up at 12 in the draft.

[Gorgoroth 13,184]

Happy with chip, i don't think he really got smashed by an opponent this year and has a cool calm head which you cannot teach, and whilst his kicking looks awkward i don't think it's that bad.

[deanox 10,045]

it is worth noting a few things about the scribes and the phantom drafts. firstly i bet that the authors dont watch nearly as much junior footy or have the contacts that an afl recruiter does or has, and i bet that many of their judgements are made based on 'common knowledge' type assumptions rather than actual first hand accounts. secondly those reports often seem to focus on what club x really needs is a y type player, and their selection is based around that...this also doesnt always happen.

that being said, i do enjoy the read of some fantasy drafts, and of people like wisbys reports...

[Nasher 33,617]

Frawley has been a great find for us this year with his fast running and backing himself in pressure situations but he really needs to work on HIS KICKING!!! the 'scribes' had him at 30-40 due to the fact that he had a very ordinary kick but the club thought they could work on his kicking in the off season. His kicking has improved a bit this season and it should continue to improve as he matures into a bigger body.

This Kid has a real future ahead of him and i think that it was a good decision to pick him up at 12 in the draft.

The common concensus by those who have seen a lot of him play is that while he looks like a spaz when he kicks, it's pretty effective. He doesn't tend to miss anywhere near as many targets as some of our worst ball users.

One of the club recruiters also said that he was a much better kick than Darren Glass was at the same stage of development.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Happy with chip, i don't think he really got smashed by an opponent this year.

The kids raw, and I'd love to see him improve next year, and I think he will. I'm underwhelmed at present, but it's far too early to tell.

[grazman 7,504]

One of the club recruiters also said that he was a much better kick than Darren Glass was at the same stage of development.

Another player we were very keen on, but never got the opportunity to draft.

[Jarka 767]

it is worth noting a few things about the scribes and the phantom drafts. firstly i bet that the authors dont watch nearly as much junior footy or have the contacts that an afl recruiter does or has, and i bet that many of their judgements are made based on 'common knowledge' type assumptions rather than actual first hand accounts. secondly those reports often seem to focus on what club x really needs is a y type player, and their selection is based around that...this also doesnt always happen.

that being said, i do enjoy the read of some fantasy drafts, and of people like wisbys reports...

Ok, just to set the record straight, my reference to 'scribes' wasn't directed at phantom drafts on bigfooty (although if mojo was still posting then it would definitely be worth reading), it was soem local coaches of soem junior teams who see alot of footy. Fergberger is right, his kickign is why alot of people had him down the orderm interestingly it was also common knowledge that Bartram would have been a first rounder except for his disposal.

[sylvinator 96]

Ok, just to set the record straight, my reference to 'scribes' wasn't directed at phantom drafts on bigfooty (although if mojo was still posting then it would definitely be worth reading), it was soem local coaches of soem junior teams who see alot of footy. Fergberger is right, his kickign is why alot of people had him down the orderm interestingly it was also common knowledge that Bartram would have been a first rounder except for his disposal.

as i see it, Frawley has all the attributes to become a great key backman.

he has pace, a good mark, has the body frame to bulk up eventually, and he seems to have a pretty good footy brain.

this season (his first as an 18 yr old playing against some of the best forwards in the afl) he was often outpointed in marking contests by bigger, and more experienced forwards.

this is nothing to be worried about, because at this stage of development, playing against the best forwards is simply a learning experience.

noone sohuld expect an 18 yrold 1st year key defender to set the world on fire and regularly beat bigger and experienced opponents. in 3 years time i can see him becoming a great key backman

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,240]

I think most people who have replied here are being hopeful rather than confident that Frawley will be an excellent player for the Dees.

I like his ball use out of defence and his ability to occasionally run and carry, however I'm a bit concerned about many of his one-on-one contests that he's conceded.

I personally wished Cameron went for someone else, but thats just my opinion.

(I'm way more excited about Petterd)

[DemonDave 1,096]

Happy with chip, i don't think he really got smashed by an opponent this year

Take another look at the Bulldogs game again from late in the year, and count the number of

goals he had kicked on him. He had a Barry Crocker that night, and I seem to remember one

or two other games at the 'G where it always seemed to be his opponent kicking the goals.

Dont get me wrong however, I think he will be a good player in time. Our situation this year has

forced us to throw him to the wolves a bit earlier than planned, methinks...

[Deelicious9 0]

Frawley has been ordinary at best!

He didnt earn a game and just got them given to him because of how poor melbourne have been.

[71 Molloy 266]

Best Game: Carlton, took an an inform Waite and smacked him.

Worst Game: Roos @ the Dome, smashed by C. Jones.

Big difference playing behind a competitive midfield. The kid will be good.

[sylvinator 96]

Frawley has been ordinary at best!

He didnt earn a game and just got them given to him because of how poor melbourne have been.

what people must understand is that not key defender has ever been good in his first season as an 18 yrold. at 18, playing key defense, you are playing against forwards who have size, muscle and experience on you...the fact that frawley was able to play 8-10 games this season is simply a learning curve that will fast track his development. whether he was able to beat some of the best forwards in the game is irrelevent.

even Jarred Rivers who won rising star award at aged 20, was in his 2nd season of afl, and he was not given the job to play defensively on the best forwards. he was given licence to roam around half back and take the 3rd best forward. Frawley has been given some jobs on the 2nd or best forward of the opposition.

What is important, however, is the attributes he shows during those games to show that in 2-3 years time he can confidently hold down a key post and beat his opponant.

1) he has pace...while he hasnt used it that much to date, good pace will help him 2-fold. firstly it will help him provide run and carry out of defence, but most importantly, when his defensive nous increases, it will give him good closing speed to put in a spoil.

2) he can mark the ball over head. ive seen him take a few great pack marks. as he fills out he will be able to take these more regularly

3) he has a body frame that can pack on the weight given a couple of preseasons. just ask ferguson how important this is.

i watched the phantom drafts closely last year, and Frawley was often touted as last first rounder (12-18) or early 2nd rounder. very few phantom drafts had him 3rd round as people have suggested, but as someone already mentioned, afl scouts are far more knowledgable that anyone posting on a phantom draft.

The only reason some had him lower down was his dubious kicking action. this has improved this year, and i think he has a reasonably reliable kick (he is 1000 times better kick that the other 18yrold key defender in the afl...McGuane of Richmond). this is not a worry as long as his kciking is reliable he can leave the kicking skills to playing like johnstone and green.

and btw, make no mistake, if MFC hadnt picked up frawley at pick 12, WestCoast wouldv picked him up at pick 17 (whatever their first pick was) as they were looking at him seriously. other clubs wouldv looked at him too for a late first rounder or early second round if he slipped through. people shouldnt be thinking about who we missed out on.

also, we needed a key defender for the future. Sellers may become good too, but what the list needs must also come into consideration.

[mauriesy 7,410]

even Jarred Rivers who won rising star award at aged 20

Jared Rivers. I think I remember him.

[Gouga 570]

The pack marks you refer to Deelicious9 were against Port Adelaide at AAMI I think. He brought down two rippers if I remember correctly.

Frawley will be a player. 10-15 games next year and he will be cherry ripe for CHB/FB come 2009.

Melbourne need to do the right thing and recruit another key backman to develop with Frawley.

With Bate, Dunn and Newton coming on ok in the forward line the backline should be our focus at this years draft.

[Demons 32 235]

Our backline always needed to be our focus. The worst thing about the Melbourne footy club has been backmen. It sucks. I don't remember us having a strong backline for YEARS!!!

But of course don't forget. Carrol is the Full Back, will be next year. And with Rivers back next year Frawley will drop down. I doubt Bizzel will get another go but if he does, and we are winning, Bizzel will get the nod. However I rate Frawley, I think next year will be really good for him, playing on the 3rd best opposition forward like an 18 year old defender should.

Rivers has been the biggest lose for the Demons. And im pumped about seeing him back out there next season.

[mo64 5,881]

I was one who questioned the wisdom of drafting Frawley at pick 12, not due to his kicking ability, but due to his height and physique. At the start of the year, we had an abundance of "small talls", none of whom are capable of holding down FB or CHB, when opposed to the elite key forwards. The list is as follows:

Carroll

Rivers

Bizzell

Ferguson

Warnock

Wheatley

When you include Holland and Miller, who have the physique but not the ability, I questioned the value of Frawley, as I saw him as another "small tall'.

My question mark on him still remains.

[deanox 10,045]

very good point. add rivers back to the mix and our backline looks very different...we need to draft another key back yes, but we could also use a genuine ruck replacement (kreuzer type), a genuine CHF and a couple of quick midfielders. personally you have to pick the best available...which means if there is a quality tall you take him, but if not we will probably pick a quick mid or two. we could really use another line breaking mid, rover type, who will complement jones and brock on the outside...

[Damo 3,437]

I was one who questioned the wisdom of drafting Frawley at pick 12, not due to his kicking ability, but due to his height and physique. At the start of the year, we had an abundance of "small talls", none of whom are capable of holding down FB or CHB, when opposed to the elite key forwards. The list is as follows:

Carroll

Rivers

Bizzell

Ferguson

Warnock

Wheatley

When you include Holland and Miller, who have the physique but not the ability, I questioned the value of Frawley, as I saw him as another "small tall'.

My question mark on him still remains.

I agree.

While the jury is still out, IMO, it is remarkable that so many believe he had a Stellar year.

I reckon that although he is the type we need, he is not in our best 25.Yet..

[beelzebub 23,390]

quite the interesting discussion this.

Yes..an ungamely kick at times...that alone must qualify him as a good backman!! lol. I can only base my comments on his performances so far this yer in teh red and blue ( and couple in blue and yellow ) This kid strikes me as the type that will never be the star,,,just a good solid honest worker. He got a littel overawed and wrong footed in his early 'big stage ' games but is settling..well was!!

A very astute comment made by another re his performance struggling once a midfiled leaves the gate open. any backline is going to find it hard let alone a newbie finding his legs. I wont hold it agains thim as such.

I really dont think Ive seen enough of him yet to make up my mind. He looks a likely lad, he can play but just needs to egt more of the feel of the tempo I sense. Another good preseason, a littel more maturity ( just time on filed really ) and a more 'Demonic'" set of on field team mates and I think he may work out ok. More time in the gym wont hurt.

Essentially he's done nothing to illuminate me or to worry me. Keep going kid :-))