As we celebrate the memory of Danny Frawley, club historian Russell Holmesby has picked a ‘Best 22’ of the men who played alongside ‘Spud’. We are sure you will agree it is a group he would have been proud to have led into battle.
From the day he debuted as a raw kid at Princes Park in 1984 until he had an emotional farewell at Footscray in 1995, Danny Frawley shared the field with 170 men in the red, white and black.
Some, like fellow 1984 ex-Ballarat debutant John Schultze only shared the stage briefly. Schultze’s three games with Spud were more than single-game teammates such as Robbie Muir, Enrico Misso, Glen Macmillan, Chris Hemley and others in succeeding years.
At the other end of the scale were long-time teammates and close friends for the rest of Danny’s life.
Stewart Loewe played 173 games alongside Spud, Tony Lockett 158, David Grant 176, Nathan Burke 161, Nicky Winmar 153 and Robert Harvey 115. Others who had more than a century of games with Danny were Dean Rice (108) and Tim Pekin (100).
Best 22 of Spud’s teammates:
BACKS Justin Peckett | Danny Frawley | Jamie Shanahan
HALF-BACKS Trevor Barker | Robert Elphinstone | Peter McConville
CENTRES Geoff Cunningham | Greg Burns | Aussie Jones
HALF-FORWARDS Nicky Winmar | Stewart Loewe | Mick Dwyer
FORWARDS David Grant | Tony Lockett | Silvio Foschini
FOLLOWERS Peter Everitt | Nathan Burke | Robert Harvey
INTERCHANGE Jason Daniels | Gary Odgers | Russell Jeffrey | Tim Pekin
BACKS
Justin Peckett
Initially made his name as a running back pocket where he won Victorian selection, then adapted to other roles across a 15-season career.
Danny Frawley
What other full-back could match the man who Gary Ablett Sr described as his hardest opponent? Obviously skipper of the team.
Jamie Shanahan
Ever reliable, staunch defender who was a late bloomer after debuting at the age of 24.
HALF-BACKS
Trevor Barker
Gifted Saints hero who could play any position, but his judgment, spectacular marking and copybook tackling made him a force at half-back.
Robert Elphinstone
Tall, mobile defender whose calmness was admirable in an era when the defence was often under constant bombardment.
Peter McConville
The quintessential utility player who despite being just on six-feet tall could handle key positions and other roles at each end of the field.
CENTRES
Geoff Cunningham
The swashbuckling winger who was a heart and soul player and was adored by fans.
Greg Burns
Ruthless and uncompromising centreman who revelled in the contest. Like his mate ‘Joffa’ Cunningham, he loved nothing better than a muddy day at Moorabbin.
Austinn Jones
The speedster had just had his debut season as a teammate of Spud’s, but laid the seeds for a spectacular career.
HALF-FORWARDS
Nicky Winmar
The sensational West Australian could perform feats unimaginable for most players. Was also a copybook tackler.
Stewart Loewe
Dominated in footy’s most difficult position for over one-and-a-half decades, then kicked 90 goals in a season at full-forward.
Mick Dwyer
Sadly his career was ravaged by injury, but his skill and talent were never in doubt.
FORWARDS
David Grant
His one-grab high marking and ability to read the game equipped him for a variety of roles in any part of the field. Played tall.
Tony Lockett
The man described admiringly by his mate Danny Frawley as “The Don Bradman of our sport”. Beyond the title of superstar as the greatest full-forward of all time.
Silvio Foschini
Lightning fast small man whose career was eventually bedevilled by shoulder problems. Superb goal sense with a special touch of brilliance.
FOLLOWERS
Peter Everitt
‘Spida’ was not just a fine ruckman , but a player who could comfortably hold down a key forward post with his fingertip marking and kicking accuracy.
Nathan Burke
Set a high bar in reliability and consistency in whatever role he was asked to play. Fearless and brave in every contest and set an example to each and every teammate.
Robert Harvey
Brownlow medals and best and fairests were thoroughly deserved accolades, but the style of his football is what remains in the minds of Saints fans. Had the twinkle-toed ability to step out of the tightest situations and the endless running endurance to burn off every opposing midfielder.
INTERCHANGE
Jason Daniels
The wiry ‘Jack’ Daniels was a fully committed and tenacious winger who never shirked an issue.
Gary Odgers
Originally a winger, he established himself next to Spud as a back pocket who could run downfield and initiate attacking moves.
Russell Jeffrey
Tough and talented half-back whose time with the Saints was sadly limited by injury, but who made a memorable impression as a quality defender.
Tim Pekin
Hard-working and honest footballer whose contribution was never under-estimated by those who played alongside him.
(With apologies to Frank Coghlan, Ken Sheldon, Tony Brown, Dean Rice, Craig Devonport, and Russell Morris!)
