Drafted with pick 84 in the 2014 draft, Billy Frampton spent five largely ineffective seasons at Port Adelaide. Despite playing some good footy at SANFL level, it was clear Frampton’s future did not lie at Alberton.
After playing only three games at AFL level the key forward/ ruckman made the move to cross-town rivals Adelaide in the 2019 trade period.
The Crows obviously saw something in the 23-year-old or otherwise would not have given the Western Australian a three-year contract.
Crows General Manager of List Management and Strategy, Justin Reid, was excited by the new acquisition.
“We have been watching Billy for awhile now and we believe he can have a real impact with us over the years to come. Whether it’s up forward or helping out in the ruck, Billy will add some real competitiveness to the team”
The Crows sit bottom of the ladder without a win in 13 and surprisingly Billy Frampton has only played four games at senior level in 2020.
Goal kicking woes
When a team is performing well it can be difficult for fringe players to break into the senior side. The Adelaide forwards collectively have struggled for the most part. Ranked 18th in the competition for scoring, averaging only six goals per game.
In his last game at AFL level Frampton kicked a goal against West Coast in Round 6. In isolation it does not sound like much, but it did make up 20 per cent of Adelaide’s goals for the match.
The former Port player has not been seen at AFL level since.
Billy Frampton of the Crows (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The selection battles
So how are the other key forwards faring for Adelaide?
Former Captain Taylor Walker has come in for some unfair criticism on occasion but is clearly struggling. This is statistically the lowest output of his career and a return of one goal from his last four games.
The 30-year-old has been a wonderful player and last week celebrated his 200th game. Despite being under contract for next year, the much-loved Crow has admitted some conversations on his future will transpire at the end of the season.
Darcy Fogarty is someone the Crows have pinned great hopes on. Five goals against West Coast last year got many excited but the 20-year-old is still finding his feet at AFL level.
The youngster was dropped for the recent clash with the Western Bulldogs. Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly revealed on SEN radio the key forward had been asked to work on his fitness.
It must not have taken long for those fitness issues to be resolved. Fogarty was straight back in the team against Geelong last week, but the season has been an underwhelming one to date with a return of four goals from six matches.
Elliot Himmelberg another forward tying to solidify a position in the Crows side. The 22-year old has had some good moments but has been largely ineffective with five goals for the season from seven games.
By no means is Billy Frampton the next Lance Franklin but it is hard to fathom he could not contribute more if afforded the same opportunities.
At the very least some extra support for Reilly O’Brien who has largely been a one-man band carrying the ruck duties.
Crossroads
I recognise Frampton can be a frustrating figure. Even at SANFL level last year we often saw the best and worst. A great mark or goal quickly followed up by giving away a dumb free kick that would leave you flabbergasted.
The one thing that Billy Frampton does provide is a physical contest. A combative nature that would serve Adelaide well given their current predicament.
The Adelaide coaching staff have obviously identified issues in the 23-year old’s game that have seen him continually overlooked for selection.
Hopefully for Billy Frampton he can gain the trust of his new club otherwise that three year deal will be under severe scrutiny for a club that already has enough question marks on its list management.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Adelaide traded Sauce Jacobs out to free the air for O'Brien. Frampton was purchased as a back-up depth ruckman if required!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I think someone before said it earlier, you can't just throw in every kid. There still needs to be some experience. Frampton is competing for a spot with Walker basically. And while Tex hasn't been surperb, he should still being picked. Hench why he's currently a Fringe player. Multi year deal obviously means Adelaide believe he's going to get better. He's just not there right now
Willie
Roar Rookie
You nailed it.
Willie
Roar Rookie
That is my greatest fear. The last thing we need is even more guys to be paid to play for another club and in cases like Jenkins, just sit on the bench at Geelong while the Crows pay for it. As the clean out continues there are a number of contracted players this could happen to. I'm just not convinced that there is any managerial nous at the Crows these days. As far back as the Tippett affair we've bumbled through transaction after transaction. I don't like Billy's chances of getting games based on what he's show so far, versus other forwards like Himmelberg and McAdam, who despite modest stats have actually shown enough talent to justify some patience.
Footy Guy
Guest
Suns gave Murdoch who geelong delisted a speedy flash in the pan fringe player a three year deal in 2018 Frampton is a good player, should be played Hartigan needs to be traded, how many young key defenders do the crows have? Worrell, McAsey and Butts that's quite a heavy load, how many years has talia got in him? North gave Tom Campbell, back up ruckman who struggled to get a game at the bulldogs, only played 3 games for north Melbourne, only one this year a 3 year deal at the end of 2018. Never played more than 10 games in a season even at his peak for the bulldogs. North would have been better giving preuss a five year deal than campbell, I didn't see why they could play Preuss and Goldstein in the same team, Preuss can't get a game at Melbourne, they don't have any proven ruckman besides goldstein
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Who gives a multi year deal to a fringe project player? I thought the qualifier for that sort of largesse was a minimum height of 210cm - you need to be a genuine cox or sandilands style freak to qualify for that. A 3 year deal for a player like Frampton seems like a jobkeeper payment more than a sensible footballing decision. Brisbane has Matt Eagles on a rolling one year deal. I can't see a player not wanted by Port was going to get hoovered up by anyone else. Anyways, it's the crows, not like good governance is even expected anymore at this point.
Erin'sOtherKnee
Guest
Without Reserves teams it's very difficult (for all clubs) to develop players and work on their games. Younger and fringe players need a pass for this season.
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
That is not a bad shout. He played mostly forward from what I could gather in the last practice game with Hawthorn but maybe defence is worth a shot.
Ditto
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see him trialled in defence. Perhaps that's what they're working on.
Benny
Guest
So why would they sign up a fringe player on a multi- year deal? And give everyone else chances except him? If they aren’t prepared to give him a go this year with what the rest of the forwards are dishing up they might as well add him to the list of players like Gibbs they’ll be paying out to leave.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Not sure what you were expecting? At this stage he's very much a fringe player.
Timbo's rules
Guest
There is no mystery. Billy Frampton currently sits sixth in the list of big forwards at Adelaide. He will most likely play if Obrien gets injured. Without Lynch playing you cannot take out your only experienced forward in Tex to give him a run. When Lynch and Tex retire he will get his opportunities. Hopefully he will then be given plenty of games to develop.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No selection has said "We're stuffed!" like this one.
Peter
Guest
Were other clubs interested in Frampton at the end of last year? I would have thought a one year deal given his output would have been reasonable, not a multi year deal.