AFL 2023: Billy Frampton set for important Collingwood role despite missing round 1 selection
He’s been labelled ‘too good’ for state league football and yet there are still some commentators who have serious doubts about Billy Frampton. His time is now to prove them wrong.
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Collingwood recruit Billy Frampton received a curly question moments after his final outing as an Adelaide player.
“I spoke to him after the (SANFL) prelim,” Norwood coach Jade Rawlings told News Corp this week.
“I asked him, ‘You going to Collingwood, big fella?’ and he looked at me a bit funny. I said, ‘If you do mate, you’ll love it. The coach (Craig McRae) is one of my great mates, so you’ll have a ball’.
“I’d never met (Frampton) before, and someone after the game said: ‘Did you have a blue with Billy Frampton after the game?’
“I said, ‘No! I was telling him how I reckon he’s too good for the competition’.”
Rawlings coached against Frampton four times last season, including two finals, and he raved about him.
“He was too good for the level,” Rawlings said.
“He became dominant in SANFL. Anyone who can intercept mark at 201cm – and he kicks it well – is always going to be a thorn.
“I think Collingwood will be proven to have made a great decision with the recruitment of Billy, because he’s got a lot of AFL footy ahead of him.”
As summer wore on some excited murmurings started to creep out of Collingwood. Internally did they think they had a smokey for recruit of the year?
Clubs drool over 200cm key backs and suddenly the Pies have a monster behind the ball who can handle the AFL’s biggest and best goalkickers, evidenced by Frampton walking straight to Carlton’s Harry McKay in a pre-season game.
The potential domino effected delighted the Pies.
That should allow captain Darcy Moore to ramp up his offensive run and free up Jeremy Howe – who might now get the third or fourth-best opposition forward – to fly across more aerial contests as an intercept specialist.
However the Frampton hype hasn’t exactly been howled far and wide. Kane Cornes predicted Frampton would be dropped by round 3 ... and on the eve of round 1 the big fella was training in Collingwood’s ‘B’ team.
That was presumably due to the possibility of opponent Geelong getting little input from spearheads Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, rather than foreshadowing Frampton’s footing at Collingwood.
But fancy that — from an almost-flawless pre-season to the fringe of round 1 selection, and then ultimately left on the emergency list.
Still, Frampton has a three-year deal at the Magpies and the hopes remain high.
It’s just another one for the little-known but largely-entertaining Frampton files.
Last year the 26-year-old flipped the ‘bird’ to supporters during a SANFL final last – sticking up his middle finger as he turned around to take his kick.
In 2019 Frampton had a striking suspension for the SANFL grand final overturned after arguing the sun was in his eyes as he landed the blow.
In round 8 last year it’s believed Frampton told a teammate: “Well, I’m getting dropped next week” after he was swung forward for the last quarter … and he was right.
Port Adelaide drafted the South Fremantle boy at No.84 in 2014 and got only three games out of him in five seasons.
The Power didn’t want to lose him.
“We have seen significant development from Billy since he was drafted five years ago and it’s difficult to see him depart the club,” football boss Chris Davies said at the time.
But Frampton was traded to Adelaide for a future fourth-round pick in 2019, and then to Collingwood for a future third-round pick in 2022.
In eight seasons he’s played 101 SANFL games and only 24 AFL games, so it is not difficult to understand the doubt so much of the public — and Cornes — harbours.
The best of those AFL games came against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat last year.
“Each game I play I always feel like I’m on the edge. I always feel I have something to prove every time I play,” Frampton said afterwards.
Frampton was right to feel unsafe — two weeks after playing his best game coach Matthew Nicks dropped him for the final time.
But as Rawlings, the reigning SANFL premiership coach, noted: “He’s quick, he’s rangy, his marking is his weapon and he probably felt he was a bit maligned in Adelaide in the end”.
“People saw what they felt he couldn’t do, rather than what he could. That’s more the supporter base.”
Frampton has been schooled as a ruck and forward without success and it was Nicks who gave life to the full-back experiment that will kick on at Collingwood.
Frampton and his fellow forwards kicked an embarrassing score of 2.9 (21) under the Friday night lights at Marvel Stadium late in 2021.
So at three quarter-time Nicks swung Frampton to defence, with the Crows keen to utilise his fine foot skills exiting the backline.
But by midway through last season it looked like the Crows had stamped Frampton’s card.
“They were happy with (Josh) Worrell and (Nick) Murray and (Jordan) Butts last year, so the opportunity wasn’t there (for Frampton),” Rawlings said.
“But to me when you get to a consistently-dominant level it means you’ve improved your footy.
“He played to a really standard at SANFL last year, and I always respect blokes who can do that on AFL lists.
“It can drop the other way, where blokes find it too hard, but he didn’t drop his standards at all.
“He’s feisty – I’ve seen him have a few debates with the crowd, and you do get some free advice at the SANFL – but I’m a believer.”
STEP ASIDE JOEL & PENDLES, MOORE IS ‘FOOTY’S NEW STATESMAN’
- Jon Ralph
As the 18 captains assembled for their annual breakfast with AFL House’s big hitters it was natural someone would fill the vacuum left by the old captains.
For the first time in nine years neither Joel Selwood or Scott Pendlebury were in attendance in the catch-up on footy’s biggest issues with the AFL’s Commission and executive.
As the dust settled on that meeting the biggest shock was that it was new Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore stepping up so confidently.
New captain Patrick Dangerfield was his usual impressive self and Fremantle’s Alex Pearce made a strong impression to the assorted suits.
But Moore had instantly established himself as footy’s new statesman.
It wasn’t just his mix of humour, as he quipped to Gill McLachlan that Andrew Dillon had requested he inquire about who would fill his chair as replacement.
As Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli told the News Corp hours later: “It was everything really. He is pretty well thought out. I appreciated some of the things he had to say and his understanding of the game and its players. I was really impressed. He is an intelligent person with pretty good emotional intelligence too.”
Darcy Moore, 27 years of age, is one of footy’s millennials.
A dashing intercept defender who has helped change the game – and is paid accordingly as per that recent trend – and a deep-thinking, reflective character determined to make his mark.
The AFLPA board member is uniquely placed to help guide the game as a star player and captain who has already lived through so many of the issues the league confronts.
In his first week he dealt with the Jack Ginnivan drugs saga, note-perfect in his early-morning doorstop expressing frustration with the player’s actions and support for him as a teammate.
He made a strong defence of the AFL’s illicit drugs policy – currently under review with the player union – while accepting its weaknesses with the “grey areas” that see Ginnivan named and shamed while others are kept anonymous.
Last year he led a contingent of the Collingwood playing group releasing a player-driven letter in the wake of the Do Better report which spoke of historic racism at the club.
He spoke at the time of not having all the answers but being determined to “address the people in the past who had been hurt at the club”.
He will have important contributions on the AFL’s reliance on betting revenue, its concussion battle, the trolling of players through social media, the mental health concerns that Bontempelli described as footy’s most pressing issue.
Moore’s manager, Liam Pickering of Bravo Management, says his client has the perfect blend of whip-smart intelligence and the common touch that allows him to be a leader of men.
“He is very impressive. He is a super intelligent guy and he’s going to be really well suited to that leadership role. He has that intelligence but the players really warm to him as well.
He was the obvious choice,” he said.
“He will be a spokesperson for the game long term. He has involved himself with the AFLPA and it’s been good for him that he is one of the leading voices on things like the collective bargaining agreement and all sorts of policies they cover. ‘Danger’ is the president but guys like Darcy are very important in the way they are running it. It’s been a nice transition for him.
“He is the perfect age to take over and with Craig McRae as coach he will be a great support for him.”
Pickering says the decision on suspending Ginnivan for the first two weeks of the AFL season was an early test Moore passed with flying colours.
While predecessor Pendlebury is a footy nut Moore will simply do it his own way.
“He is at a big club, he is the big presence in defence, he has got his own different way of leading them to Pendles. They are different characters, Darcy doesn‘t live and breathe footy. He is across all the issues but I don’t think he’s across every footy show going around. He has got trust in his body now so he knows he is a good player. And he’s just going to do a good job.”
WILL PIES TARGET HENRY? TEST COMING FOR NEW RECRUIT
Collingwood great Mick McGuane says Ollie Henry has the talent and mental fortitude to withstand a physical test from his former club as he takes centre stage on Friday night.
Henry demanded a trade from the Pies to be closer to family in Geelong despite playing only an hour away with Collingwood in Melbourne.
After an exceptional summer he might have hoped for a low-key debut for Geelong playing as a third tall behind star forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.
Instead Hawkins is doubtful (toe reconstruction) and Cameron is not certain given his partner Indiana is due with their child, meaning Henry will need to stand tall as Geelong begins its premiership defence.
McGuane is an unabashed admirer of Henry’s talent but says he must be prepared for former teammates like Brayden Maynard to physically impose themselves in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG.
McGuane rated Henry a 6.5 out of 10 in his new Herald Sun rankings but says he has a huge upside in his third season.
“I have always felt forward 50 craft is hard to come by. He is a player who finds space naturally. He is a threat in the air, he is a multiple goal kicker as we witnessed in that game in the west when he was a game-changer as a point of difference replacing (Mason) Cox when he came off injured. The match simulation has been pretty good evidence he has had a good preparation and I just think in terms of their models he will fit hand and glove into their side.
“There is so much upside in his play and we’ll find out on Friday night how he reacts as a past player with his former club coming up against him. I don’t think they will go down the path of putting him in the gun but if Maynard is in the vicinity he will find out pretty quickly if Maynard is going to get physical with him. They won’t make it an easy night for him and that adds a bit of spice.”
McGuane says the Cats may choose to keep star interceptor Sam De Koning forward after a recent trial and can also use Gary Rohan and Cameron as marking targets against a Pies backline that will feature star defenders Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore.
Premiership hero McGuane did not get to play against the Pies in his single season at Carlton but believes the hype of a player coming up against his old side does not last long into a game.
“Supporters are tribal and they can voice their opinions in any way, shape or form. But when you cross the white line all the noise and colour and distractions become distant memories. The will to win and the will to compete takes over,” he said.
“I don’t think (his reason for leaving) is part of the discussion. We have grown to expect anything is possible in footy and players leave for family, irrespective of whether it’s a 50-minute trip or a five-hour plane flight. People respect those decisions in a professional environment.”
TEAMS: TIGERS STARS FIRM FOR BLUES CLASH
- Chris Cavanagh
Richmond is set to enter its season-opener against Carlton at close to full strength after two stars who had been under injury clouds put their hands up to play.
Midfielders Jayden Short and Dion Prestia both completed main training on Tuesday morning and showed no signs of their recent injury issues.
Short had been carrying a calf strain and Prestia suffered a pectoral strain in the club’s final pre-season match against Melbourne, but the pair both trained fully and took part in some match simulation during the Tigers’ main training session for the week.
“It’s a good sign if any player gets through a main session,” Richmond forward Tom Lynch said of Short.
“If he pulls up well, I assume he’s going to play. Last week there was a bit of doubt, but to get through a main session is very encouraging.”
Wingman Marlion Pickett also trained strongly after overcoming an adductor strain, leaving just a handful of younger players in Richmond’s rehabilitation group.
There was no sign of defender Josh Gibcus on the training track Tuesday after his recent infection.
However, Tom Brown (broken wrist), Jacob Bauer (ankle), Kaleb Smith, Seth Campbell and Mate Colina all completed some running and light drills on the sidelines.
Lynch himself had an injury-interrupted pre-season, training away from the main group for a large chunk of the summer after having foot surgery before Christmas.
But the club’s leading goalkicker from last year said he was ready for Thursday night’s clash against the Blues, which is expected to draw more than 85,000 fans to the MCG.
“It was great to play three quarters against Melbourne and it was a good intro into round 1,” Lynch said.
“So I’m fully fit and ready to go.”
Lynch said the lengthy recovery from his foot surgery had been difficult, but he had always expected to start the season.
“The longer it went, time was getting away from me a little bit,” he said.
“But then it sort of turned a corner pretty quickly and progressed through. So I was always fairly confident that we got the surgery done with plenty of time to get up for round 1.”
Jack Graham caught the eye at training on Tuesday, the midfielder featuring in the stronger team during match simulation.
Graham had toe surgery last November, but has done a power of work over the past six weeks to put himself firmly in the frame for round 1 selection.
Richmond has won 12 of its past 13 games against Carlton, the solitary loss during that period coming by 25 points in round 1 last year.
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