JAMES Frawley must have been one of the happiest men at the MCG on Saturday after landing his first AFL premiership with Hawthorn’s crushing victory over the West Coast Eagles.
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And the former East Ballarat junior got to share the triumph with fellow Ballarat export Isaac Smith, who also played a vital role in the 46-point win.
For Frawley, who controversially swapped success-starved Melbourne for Hawthorn 12 months ago, the long wait to taste finals success was worth it.
Frawley’s shut-down job on Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy helped keep the lid on West Coast’s famed attacking prowess.
He said he was struck by the enormity of the occasion in time-on.
‘‘The last ten minutes, I wasn’t really concentrating that much,’’ Frawley, who had 22 disposals, said.
‘‘I was looking around at the crowd, trying to soak it up and the boys pulled me into line saying ’what are you doing mate?’ ‘
‘I lost a bit of focus, but it’s unreal, an unreal feeling, I couldn’t be happier.’’
While Frawley was celebrating his first flag, Smith had been there and done it before.
Twice, infact.
The former Redan and North Ballarat Roosters premiership player played an important hand in the success, racking up 23 touches and booting three goals