MELBOURNE has picks 2 and 3 in the national draft after the AFL announced compensation for departing full-back James Frawley.
It is the highest pick handed out in compensation since the advent of free agency.
The length of Frawley’s contract — believed to be four years — and Frawley’s age (26), added up to the maximum compensation available.
That is an extra draft pick immediately following the club’s first round selection. With the Dees holding pick 2 for finishing second-last, they now pocket pick 3 as well, pushing every club except St Kilda another spot back in the pecking order.
Last year Hawthorn received pick 19 as compensation for losing Lance Franklin to Sydney, while past compo picks have included pick 11 for Dale Thomas (Collingwood), pick 13 for Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) and pick 25 for Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda).
Last week Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann said last week Frawley didn’t qualify for such a high selection.
“I know ‘Roosy’ said everyone he speaks to thinks that pick three is a fair pick, but we certainly don’t. We would’ve thought an end of first round would’ve been best for James,” said Swann, who’s Lions have the pick after Melbourne.
“We’re talking pick three, it’s a massive pick in the draft. I would’ve thought that would’ve been reserved for top echelon players.”
Melbourne is expected to use the pick as a bargaining chip in trade talks.
Earlier, Frawley said the lure of challenging for a flag with Hawthorn was the key reason for his switch to the AFL premiers.
The Hawks confirmed the move on Monday morning, signing the free agent from strugglers Melbourne to continue their back-to-back premiership celebrations.
The 26-year-old All Australian said he decided to sign with the Hawks after seeing the success of Brian Lake and other players who made the move to Waverley.
“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,” Frawley said.
“There were many factors that came into the decision but Lakey has had some good luck coming here from the Bulldogs two years running for two flags. That’s a pretty good strike rate.”
He announced he would leave the AFL strugglers last week, with Hawthorn one of a group of clubs vying for Frawley’s signature.
Hawthorn firmed as a potential landing point for the wantaway man when the club’s website prematurely announced his signing on the weekend.
Hawks list manager Graham 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, Wright said.
“James is a fantastic addition to our list, and will complement and enhance our defensive unit extremely well,” he said.
Frawley did spare a thought for the Demons, where he clocked up 139 games since being drafted with pick 12 in 2006.
“I’m sad to leave (Melbourne) but you have to do what’s best for you,” he told the club’s website.
“I found it really hard, especially when it came down to the crunch of actually making the decision.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-as-compensation/story-fni5f8ge-1227081173430
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