The least heralded of the quartet of Collingwood’s recruits, Billy Frampton, has been one of the standouts of the summer, according to Dan McStay, the club’s big-ticket free agent off-season signing.
Between the pair and Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell joining the on-ball group Collingwood will have a new-look spine with a new key forward, key back and centreman.
Darcy Moore remains touch and go for round one as he recovers from his unusual bone infection pre-Christmas, so the recruitment of Frampton is looking even more prescient.
Billy Frampton has impressed at the Pies. Credit:Getty Images
Collingwood managed with one genuine key defender in Moore last year, then made do with Jeremy Howe (190 centimetres), Nathan Murphy (192) and Brayden Maynard (189) often playing on much taller opponents.
Dan McStay in action last year.Credit:AFL Photos
Frampton, in contrast, is 201 centimetres. Against Geelong in round one he would potentially find himself on Tom Hawkins if the Cat recovers in time from injury.
“Billy has been one of the standouts in the pre-season playing that key position down back, marks the ball incredibly well, uses the ball incredibly well, so he is definitely one who has been a standout,” McStay said from the club’s training camp in Gippsland.
“I really look forward to seeing him continue his AFL career. He has moved around a lot, but I feel like coming to Collingwood he has really cemented his place. He feels like he is home, so I can’t wait to play alongside him.”
The fourth member of the quartet of new arrivals is former Giant Bobby Hill, who will join McStay in the Magpies’ forward line. An exciting small forward with a good spring and nous for goal he also has speed and has been working on his tackling to be a pressure player. Along with Beau McCreery he has the leg speed to hunt the ball and opposition ball carriers in the forward line.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae puts a priority on players who can apply pressure.
McStay said he welcomed the flexibility of the Magpies’ forward line.
“I hope to work with the guys up there, big Mase [Mason Cox] is a real pillar up there, Brodie Mihocek has done a phenomenal job over the last few years holding that post down,” he said.
“I think we have got a lot of flexibility. Darcy Cameron is a great ruck, but can also push forward and kick goals. I don’t think it will be just me, we have a lot of support.
“It’s so good to have guys like Jack Ginnivan, Bobby Hill you can feed as well. It’s exciting, it feels like the club has come a long way.”
Collingwood this week also confirmed Oscar Steene would join the club as a rookie. As a long-term prospect, he is unlikely to be seen this season.
Collingwood will play a practice match against Carlton at Ikon Park on February 24.
