Hawthorn recruit Sam Frost reveals coach Alastair Clarkson’s simple plan for him
Simon Goodwin referred to Sam Frost’s unpredictable playing style as “Frost-ball” but the new Hawk has already talked with master coach Alastair Clarkson on a solution.
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Stand by for a more simple version of Frost-ball.
The fact Sam Frost has a name for his playing style shows how far he’s come during the past couple of years, though the jury is still out on its effectiveness.
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Unfortunately the votes didn’t go his way at Melbourne’s list management jury, which was a surprise to many, including the man himself.
But Frost-ball will live on in a Hawthorn jumper next year, and master coach Alastair Clarkson has plans on how to harness the phenomenon.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin coined the term when he was trying to describe Frost’s manic attack on the ball, his Usain Bolt-like dash, and then the jaw-dropping clangers by foot.
It was certainly haphazard with its results, though Frost played every game for Melbourne and was one of the few highlights in an otherwise horror year.
But over lunch in New York last week, the Hawthorn version of Frost-ball was hatched.
Clarkson was in New York on his annual fact-finding tour around the NBA and NFL, while Frost was enjoying a two-week holiday.
“The good thing about our conversations was he just wants to simplify my role in a way that’s going to help the guys around me,” Frost said.
“I’m going to play with guys like James Sicily, James Frawley and Ben Stratton. I’ll be the key defender and free them up to do what they do best.
“That’s the best messaging for me, to have a simple focus, a simple role, and really be able to benefit the guys around me.
“What I talked about with Clarko was the fact that it is exciting, it’s entertaining for people, but you end up a bit 50-50, 60-40 as to a good outcome versus a turnover.
“So what we talked about was getting that to an 80-20 split. Winning the ball back is something I am good at and we will simplify it to the point that you win the ball back and then give it off to the nearest guy.
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“It takes out the decision-making and the issues there. Not that it has ever been a huge detriment, but the more positives and less turnovers is going to be great for the team.
“So I want to turn my style into a real strength, take away the down side, and really get some proper rebound and score launches.”
Frost, who has played 91 games at Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne, knew with the Demons’ recruitment of Steven May and Jake Lever that there was a possibility he would get squeezed out.
“Really, right up until the end of the season, I was still thinking Melbourne would be where I was going to be at,” Frost said.
“But once I had been through my exit interview and we talked about what they might be able to offer me and where they saw me going forward, it became a bit more of a reality that exploring my options could be best for my career.”
While disappointed, Frost, 26, didn’t have to look far for inspiration, given what happened to older brother Jack.
After 56 games for Collingwood and Brisbane Lions, Jack was forced to retire because of concussion issues.
Frost has one more Melbourne function to attend — Max Gawn’s bucks weekend in New Zealand — before he brings Frost-ball to Waverley Park for pre-season training.