Billy Frampton keen to make a ‘statement’ at Adelaide after crossing the great divide
Starved of opportunity, former Port Adelaide key forward Billy Frampton declares he’s on a mission at new club Adelaide to prove he belongs in the AFL.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Five Crows who need to own the pre-season
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Billy Frampton has vowed to make a statement at Adelaide, declaring he has the tools to be a regular AFL player.
After managing just three games in five years at Port Adelaide, the strong-marking key forward/ruckman has crossed the great divide and is desperate to make the most of the second AFL opportunity he craved.
“I’ve come over to make a statement, I’m massively keen to do that,’’ the 200cm powerhouse said.
“T had five years at Port, played three (AFL) games, and wanted the opportunity to put my best foot forward.
“I want to show that I can play AFL footy, be a regular AFL footballer, that's the number one goal on my mind.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“Getting a good opportunity, a fresh start, with new eyes around me, that’s what I was after.’’
Revealing he had signed a lengthy three-year contract at Adelaide after being traded for a future fourth-round draft pick, Frampton has been told by the Crows hierarchy that they want him to play primarily as a key forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck.
A member of Port’s losing SANFL grand final side against Glenelg this year, Frampton illustrated his enormous potential against Gold Coast in round nine when he had 14 disposals, including nine contested, and kicked three goals.
His other two AFL games came against Essendon in round 23, 2018, and Hawthorn in round 10 this year.
“I think I’ve got the tools needed to be a regular AFL player, that’s why I’ve been craving an opportunity to show people that I can do that,’’ Frampton said.
“I think my aerial work, marking, is my main threat and as a forward I think I kick my goals.
“I'm also a pretty good runner, pretty athletic and try to compete as much as I can, be as aggressive as I can.’’
Nicknamed “Big Show’’, Frampton, 22, was unable to command a regular spot in Port’s team because of its plethora of big men, although Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard have since been traded to St Kilda.
Frampton – selected at pick 84 at the 2014 national draft from WAFL club South Fremantle – is destined to become just the sixth footballer to play for both the Crows and Power.
When he makes his AFL debut for Adelaide, he will join David Brown, Ian Downsborough, Brett Chalmers, Matthew Bode and Brad Symes in playing for both clubs.
“It’s a pretty small group but the way I look at it is like getting traded anywhere else,’’ he Frampton said.
“While the rivalry (between the two clubs) is there, at the end of the day it’s just footy.’’
Frampton, who began training with his new teammates on Wednesday, will have no trouble settling into his new surroundings.
He surprisingly grew up supporting Adelaide from WA as his dad, Peter, was a big Crows fan.
“Dad was born in England and he moved to Adelaide when he was 10 or 11,’’ Frampton said.
“He got into footy and was a North Adelaide fan. When the Crows came in (to the AFL) he got on them naturally.’’
Peter moved to Perth but never lost his passion for Adelaide.
“He met my mum and they had me and my brother and sister – he was a huge fan by that point so I didn’t have much of a choice,” Frampton said.
Frampton said his dad still supported Adelaide when he was drafted by the Power.
“My move is pretty cool, a little romantic, especially for my dad and family,’’ he said.
Frampton said as a kid he wandered around in a No. 23 Crows guernsey, having idolised Adelaide’s dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod.
“McLeod was definitely my favoriite, I adored him and used to wear my Crows guernsey to training,” he said.
Frampton spent four years with new Crows coach Matthew Nicks at Port and described him as a “ripping fella’’ and “very relationship driven’’.