I'm only commenting on whats been presented to me in 9 games of AFL footy plus a couple of pre-season games. I like it how he clears the ball out of defence and has the guts to run and carry out of defence and seems to have more time to dispose of the footy than the average player which is a key ingredient. Very concerned however, with his one-on-one contests -especially if you saw the Roos game in round 16.

I think he has the ability to make it. However key position players selected in the first round are risky prospects, hense why I think CAC will be nervous about this one, considering Frawley was expected to be picked up later in the draft.

It was a brave selection given CAC's history with late first rounders and KPPs. With that said, I suspect it was a tactical selection rather than that being the spot he was truly rated it. If it doesn't come off and Frawley doesn't make it, the fact that we scored Petterd at 30 afterwards will make it slightly more palatable.

If it doesn't come off and Frawley doesn't make it, the fact that we scored Petterd at 30 afterwards will make it slightly more palatable.

Agree.

Petterd was one of the good news stories (apart from his lung drama) of 2007. Some were surprised he lasted at pick 30.

It was a brave selection given CAC's history with late first rounders and KPPs. With that said, I suspect it was a tactical selection rather than that being the spot he was truly rated it. If it doesn't come off and Frawley doesn't make it, the fact that we scored Petterd at 30 afterwards will make it slightly more palatable.

True, Frawley may have been a surprise to completely ignorant supporters who have nothing to do with recruiting and do not watch under18 football...

however it was widely known within the recruiting fraternity that Frawley would be picked up from pick 10-17 last year.

Matt Burgen had him at pick 16 in his phantom draft, and it was widely known that WestCoast rated him extremely highly (likened to WestCoast captain and double AA fullback Darren Glass). He was never going to slip further than pick 17.

so considering this information, i don't see how people can see this as a 'tactical' selection, or that he was drafted well above what he was rated.

no 18 year old key backman has ever come into the afl and dominated in his first season, so i dont see why people should expect that Frawley would have. He played some solid games in the seniors and showed signs that in 2-3 years he will become a quality afl player. He has great pace, good closing speed, a strong mark, good height and a reliabel (though ungainly style) kick. Most of all he has shown that he is willing to take the game on, and provide run and carry out of the back 50. When he bulks up, and gets better awareness of the speed of afl footy, he will be great.

this is Burgen's analysis of Frawley only 12 months ago:

16 - WEST COAST - JAMES FRAWLEY

North Ballarat Rebels, 20 September 1988, 192.7cm, 81.3kg

Another interesting selection looms at No.16 with West Coast linked to several names including Frawley, the nephew of St Kilda great and former Richmond coach Danny. The Eagles are understood to have likened Frawley to 2006 All-Australian full-back Darren Glass, hence their interest in the talented key defender. Frawley has climbed up the order in recent weeks, with Melbourne, Richmond, Collingwood and Geelong all eager for his services. West Coast must take him now otherwise he is likely to be gone at No.29 - its second selection. The Eagles will also be weighing up weather to take one of three local lads from Claremont - Jarryd Morton, Krakouer and Eric McKenzie. Those three players will also be seriously considered at No.16.Highlights/achievements: Quick and athletic with good defensive skills and provides run from defence. Victoria Country U18 representative this year. A sub 3sec 20m sprint test (2.98sec) was a highlight of performance at the NAB AFL Draft Camp. From East Ballarat F.C.

---people shouldn't think that we 'overpayed' for a player, simply because people on bigfooty didn't have him in the first 20 of their phantom drafts

so considering this information, i don't see how people can see this as a 'tactical' selection, or that he was drafted well above what he was rated.

The reason I call it a "tactical" decision is because I simply do not believe CAC rated Frawley higher than Petterd. My belief is that CAC rated Petterd (and probably several other smalls) higher, but believed there was more chance of him still being available at 30 than there was of Frawley being available at 30, and he wanted both.

Btw I didn't say it was a surprise that CAC took Frawley, I just said it was brave, as he could easily have been put off by past mistakes.

FCS people he is 18. And is he even going to be KP defender? I could swear ND and CAC saying his athletecism could see him play HBF or wing. Seriously, if Ward was a regular at HBF then Frawley could easily relace him. And stop looking at every draftee as the saviour of the club. It will be a team effort when we win a flag, which is 3-5 years away at least, meaning Frawley and other youngsters will be at their peak if good enough to remain at the club. You can't look at the potential future and expect to see those results immediately.

Frawley has climbed up the order in recent weeks

Interesting...

Frawley was only beaten up in games when he was played on small to mid size forwards and that was because he is quick, Whelan was out and Bell missed games late. Once he is played as the key Full back we will then see how good he can be. I think he can be the next Darren Glass, quick, same size has a bit of daring about him and looks to read to play well. The coaching staff didn't want to throw him at the big forwards in 2007 but 2008 he will be and that excites me and our backline with Whelan Frawley Carroll on the full back line and Rivers Bell then one of Wheatley, Petterd, Green, Bruce, Bartram, Bode on the other HBF, they will work for each other and become a good defensive unit.

Round one headline, Frawley towels Franklin as Melbourne shoots down the hawks

Round one headline, Frawley towels Franklin as Melbourne shoots down the hawks

Geebus, Franklin one-on-one is a big ask. If we're going to beat Franklin/the Dorks it'll be because our cumulative defensive effort gave Rivers the latitude to read the play and cut off Hawthorn kicks going into 50m. That said, I think Frawley could be part of that defensive effort - certainly enough to help close out options and prevent the Hawthorn midfield kicking to clear leads. But it'll be Rivers or someone in Rivers' usual role who will win the defensive battle for us.

It's the old Infantry/Cavalry routine - Infantry (Frawley, in this case) does most of the fighting, but their main job is to force the opposition into positions where the Cavalry (Rivers) can hit them hard where they aren't prepared, and decisively turn the battle.

Those Macedonians were on to something!

Whats not to have faith in for Frawls? He's just a kid who's only played one season with a huge upside to come in the next few years.