He wore a brown and gold uniform growing up at Delacombe Primary School in Ballarat.

"It's actually not too bad - I'm not sure what it looks like on TV but hopefully alright," Frawley quipped..

The 26-year-old officially became a Hawk on Monday as a free agent in the AFL trade period.

But it was the lure of a premiership and improving his game with the AFL premier, rather than a tribute to his primary school, that convinced Frawley to sign with Hawthorn.

"Two years and two flags, that's a pretty good strike rate. I'm happy to put my hand up for one of them - one of them would be enough for me," Frawley told Hawks TV.

"Every player plays footy to try and win a premiership and be in a successful side and that's what I see here at Hawthorn and that's why I made the choice.

"...You don't become a two or three-time premiership player by just having a kick for fun.

"Hopefully I can learn a lot off these blokes and put that on to the park, play my role for the team and have some success."

Frawley, a former East Ballarat junior, has signed for four years.

The deal ends a year of uncertainty for the key position player, who would not discuss his playing future through the 2014 season.

Frawley had already started off-season work as a Demon at AAMI Park when he made the decision.

The all-Australian told his old club last week of his leaving.

He said it was a tough decision that first took a lot of contemplation and discussion with his girlfriend.

Frawley enjoyed a chance to play up forward for the Dees this year but hoped to cement a spot down back again as a Hawk.

Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright said Frawley told the Hawks on Wednesday of his choice.

"It was between us and Geelong is my understanding," Wright said.

Wright said he expected Frawley to slot into the club's defensive unit.

"Having recently turned 26, James is a quality defender in the prime of his career," he said.

"James is a fantastic addition to our list, and will complement and enhance our defensive unit extremely well.

"We're rapt to get him in but we wanted to make sure it was the right terms."

Melbourne hopes to get pick three in the AFL national draft as compensation for the talented tall man.

Frawley joined Melbourne from North Ballarat Rebels at pick 12 in the 2006 AFL national draft.

He played 139 AFL games for the Demons after making his debut in round nine 2007.