JAMES Frawley's advice for Rebels players is just as he played: show up, work as hard as you can and enjoy every moment.
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The retiring, decorated Hawk was one who, particularly early in his career, was often found by Rebels talent manager Phil Partington running laps of Northern Oval in his AFL off-season break.
Frawley says it was what he felt he needed to do, keep the hard work going, to make the most of pre-season when back at the club while also making time to be with family and friends in Ballarat.
A 14-year career, all-Australian selection and AFL premiership were never things Frawley imagined when he was drafted from North Ballarat Rebels as pick 12 to Melbourne in 2006.
Frawley told The Courier on Friday that young kid was happy just to get down to Melbourne and maybe play a couple of AFL games. Others thought he might last a couple of years in an industry were the average playing span is about a third of what Frawley achieved. But he made the most of every moment.
"When you're at a club, just be your own person and let your personality show, but also work as hard as you can," Frawley said was his best advice for Rebels' male and female draftees.
"It's a big thing when suddenly you're training with players you looked up to and idolised. You need to give a bit of you because it's hard when you see a young player holding back when they're s bit star-struck.
"Show everyone what you can do and, when you're there, really enjoy the chance you've got."
It's a big thing when suddenly you're training with players you looked up to and idolised...Show everyone what you can do and, when you're there, really enjoy the chance you've got.
- James Frawley
Frawley's crop was a bumper draft year for the Rebels with the Brown twins (Nathan at pick 10 to Collingwood, Mitch pick 16 to West Coast) and Shaun Grigg (pick 19 to Carlton) in the mix. Horsham juniors Tim Houlihan (pick 43 to West Coast) and Matt Tyler (pick 54 to Brisbane).
This ends an era with Nathan Brown, a Collingwood premiership player, retiring mid-season from St Kilda.
Frawley hails from strong football pedigree. He is the son of Ballarat Football League Hall of Famer Michael Frawley, who played for East Ballarat and North Ballarat, and the nephew of St Kilda great Danny Frawley.
The 32-year-old wanted to bow out in reasonable form. He feels he got the timing right. His body was okay, despite his back pulling up sore. Hub life in hotels took its toll. He wants more time with his wife and one-year-old boy Sonny.
A loyal Dee, Frawley had six coaches in his first seven AFL seasons. He fast became key player, named an all-Australian defender in 2010 aged 21.
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Frawley reached a cross-roads in late 2014 as a free agent. He craved stability.
"That's what really drew me to Hawthorn, how stable the club was, top to bottom," he said. "The boys knew what where they were going day-to-day...It was a big change but pretty much a fairytale."
Frawley became an AFL premiership player in his first season with the Hawks.
A proud country boy, Frawley has never forgotten where he has come from. While playing might be far from his mind now, imaging him going full circle, right back to Eastern Oval to a formidable East Point outfit.
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