Forget the stats sheet, Billy Frampton played the game of his life on grand final day

Billy Frampton might have only had two touches in the grand final, but the surprise inclusion spent three quarters succeeding in one of the most important roles on the ground.

Billy Frampton was an underrated grand final hero. Picture: Getty Images

Billy Frampton did more interviews in the post-match rooms than he had possessions on Saturday.

It was 4-2, but as he leaned against the change room walls, with beer in hand and a grin splitting his cheeks to almost bursting, he didn’t give a care in the world.

“Yeah, it’s only four but keep them coming,’’ he said.

“I don’t know how to describe it, it feels like a dream.

“It feels better than sex.”

The player ratings listed him at 2.5 out of 10.

Not Collingwood people, though. Not those who value roles over possessions.

Because Frampton’s role was not to kick goals.

Not one “expert’’ in the lead-up suggested Frampton would be an offensive threat. He was in the side – courtesy of Dan McStay’s knee injury – to try to quell the expected dominance of Brisbane’s dam wall called Harris Andrews.

For three quarters, he did exactly that. Andrews took one intercept mark, made one spoil and had seven possessions. Against Carlton in the preliminary final, Andrews had six spoils and four intercepts in the first 30 minutes.

At halftime on Saturday, Andrews had just five touches and one intercept mark, the kind of numbers and influence that undeniably meant Frampton was among the more influential players on the ground.

Billy Frampton and Darcy Cameron celebrate with the Magpie fans. Picture: Getty Images

Jeremy Howe: “You want to talk about stories of the year. Hats off to Billy because that sort of call-up … you know, it’s hard to stay engaged regardless of what happens.

“He got his opportunity and it felt like he was unbelievable on Harris Andrews.

“I said to Billy at half time, what you’re doing in front of the ball is helping us massively. Harris Andrews is one of the best players in the competition.

“And I said to him at three quarter time, expect Andrews to be more aggressive, but what you have to do is match it, just keep fighting you’re arse off because it’s working. And to his credit he’s a premiership player.’’

Andrews erupted in the final quarter, with nine touches and six intercepts, but not all of them were gathered on Frampton.

Frampton: “I know the sort of player he is, that he’d get himself in line with the ball and try to insert himself. I definitely felt him shift and I just tried to compete and make life as hard as possible for him.

“The last quarter … players like him just will themselves into it and find a way.

“It was a bit frustrating (in the last quarter), but you just try to move on to the next play as soon as possible.’’

Stats show Andrews won their single 1v1 aerial contest in the final quarter, when Andrews outpointed the stumbling Magpie 30m from goal.

But the 1v1 stats don’t include, for example, the two free kicks Andrews won for being held by Frampton in the opening three minutes.

Andrews accumulated 66 ranking points in the final 30 minutes, and if Brisbane won the game, his quarter would’ve been hailed as career-defining. Not Anthony Koutoufides level in the ‘99 preliminary, but colossal from a defender.

There were pack marks, pack spoils and he saved an audacious snap from Nick Daicos from near the boundary line, when he got a hand to the ball centimetres before it crossed the goal line.

Yet, the Lions could not capitalise on Andrews’ influence.

Saturday’s grand final will be remembered for its spectacular long goals, from De Goey (twice) to Crisp (twice) to Sidebottom from Collingwood, and for the breathtaking wizardry from Zac Bailey, Bobby Hill, Linc McCarthy and Charlie Cameron.

Footy is at its swashbuckling best when goals are being kicked, but not everyone can be swashbucklers.

Frampton celebrating in the rooms with friends after the match. Picture: Getty Images

Frampton can’t mark like Joe Daniher, or create like the Daicos brothers, nor ruck like Max Gawn, but on Saturday his role was simply to compete. To be a body which Andrews had to contend with.

Forwards coach Justin Leppitsch said Frampton did a “great job.’’

“He was important,’’ Leppitsch said. “What Billy did in his forward role helped the scoreboard tick over and I think both teams went in at halftime more worried about their defence rather than their offence.’’

He didn’t zero in on Frampton at the breaks.

“We set him up ... to still play his game when the game is moving and fast, but not when the game is slow because that’s when Harris is at his best and can intercept and take the game away.’’

The Pies’ focus on Andrews was heavy, but at the same time, it wasn’t a complete lockdown on him. Several times, Frampton was benched.

“Sometimes, they can manoeuvre things and they try to play ducks and drakes,’’ Leppitsch said.

“Harris was on Brody Mihocek for a bit but we let that slide as well, we had to make sure we weren’t tying ourselves in knots over it, but the large majority it was him (Frampton).’’

Frampton’s teammates were thrilled with his game.

Tom Mitchell: “He’s a premiership player, he played his role and that’s all we asked of him.

“He’s basically a ruckman and a back, but he came in and played a forward role and did his bit.’’

Beau McCreery: “He’s a big body, he hits hard and fires up. I love watching that stuff. He worked his nuts off.’’

Brayden Maynard: “Oh my God … you’ve got to stay ready and he stayed ready and I think he did an absolutely fantastic job on Harris Andrews today. For him to come into the team, set the standards at training and get the reward, credit to him.

Andrews was everywhere in the final term. Picture: Getty Images

“It doesn’t matter about how many touches, he’s got a premiership medal around his neck, that’s all that matters.’’

Mason Cox also wasn’t perturbed by Frampton’s possession count. “Who cares, I’ve had two disposals in a game,” he said, laughing. “He played his role, that’s all we ask.’’

Frampton was summoned from the massage table to Craig McRae’s office on Tuesday and told he was playing on Saturday.

In the euphoria after what played out in the previous two hours, he reflected on a career that had stagnated several times.

“There’s a lot of hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes,’’ he said

“I’ve been in the system for nine years and played 40 games, I was drafted with Darcy (Moore) and he played his 150th today and Brayden (Maynard) has played 170-180 games … it’s just been a long, hard road and I’ve stayed the course and got the reward today.

“There were a lot of doubts over the journey but it’s worth it now.’’

The luckiest man in Australia? “Yeah, 100 per cent.’’

Originally published as Forget the stats sheet, Billy Frampton played the game of his life on grand final day