Billy Frampton Biography

Billy Frampton is making the most of his call-up to Collingwood's Grand Final side after the untimely injury to Dan McStay.

"'Fly' (Collingwood coach Craig McRae) told me to reflect. It has been an interesting journey. Reckon there's probably been a fair bit more downs than ups in my career so far, but to have the opportunity to run out tomorrow makes it all worth it," Frampton said at the Grand Final parade.

"I had a bit of an inkling I'd be close. Fly said I would be around the mark. I trained in the ones that day, so I thought I might be a chance, but definitely not a certainty. To get officially told was a really good feeling."

Collingwood coach Craig McRae names Billy Frampton as the replacement for the injured Daniel McStay in the Magpies' 2023 Grand Final side.

"He can play forward for us and go back where need be, and play on the likes of (Joe) Daniher and others, and he can play second ruck, so he gives us good flexibility in the team. Excited for the young lad," McRae said of Frampton.

Billy Frampton tells of how his move to Collingwood from the Crows came about.

"They sort of started speaking to my manager early in the year and I hadn’t had a contract offer from Adelaide at all. Then I was in the twos and wasn't getting a look in even though I was playing some good footy," Frampton said.

"They came and offered me a contract pretty early in the year. Straight away we saw the way the club was building with how the club was performing last year. I had a good friend in Darcy Cameron at the club and spoke to him. He spoke glowingly about the club and 'Fly' [Craig McRae] and how they run things.

"It was a pretty easy decision, to be honest, especially with how my year panned out at the Crows. I was very keen to come as soon as I heard about their interest."

Billy Frampton joins Collingwood in exchange for a third a future third-round selection going to Adelaide.

The 25-year-old has transitioned from a ruckman-key forward to a key defender in the past 18 months, averaging 21 disposals, 7.8 marks and 7.7 rebound 50s in 15 SANFL games in 2022.

After a career-best game against the Bulldogs, Billy Frampton says he hopes to make a spot in the Crows' backline his own.

"Each game I play, I always feel like I am on the edge so I always have something to prove every time. It's tough. There's always a lot of players in my position across every club ... you are always fighting hard and it gets a little bit disheartening at times," he said.

"But what I have learned is just stay in the moment ... I haven't played many games in eight years in the system so every time I get out there it's a bit of a treat and just love it."

Billy Frampton will play in the backline when he returns to Adelaide's senior side to take on Hawthorn.

Frampton earned a recall having picked up a team-high 31 disposals and 13 marks in the SANFL after being shifted to the unfamiliar role.

"What we're seeing from Billy is incredible craft as a back considering he's played all of his career as a forward," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.

"He knows what a forward wants and he's able to read the ball. It's a massive step up but we want to give him that opportunity."

Kyle Hartigan and Billy Frampton are separated by teammates after a scuffle at training.

Vision emerged of Hartigan throwing several punches at Frampton while the pair were playing on opposing sides of an intraclub match at West Lakes. Frampton appears to bump Hartigan after a goal before they engaged in a wrestle that required assistances from several players.

“He was holding me a little bit. I just gave him a little one in the guts and it just picked up from there,” Frampton explained.

“It turns into a bit of a blur when that stuff happens, but it was 10-15 seconds maybe and the boys broke it up. Nicksy called us up in front of the group after and we had a bit of a laugh about it, explained what happened and shook hands about it.”

Billy Frampton says he moved from the Power to the Crows for more opportunities.

"I've got the tools needed to be a regular AFL player, that's why I've been craving opportunity to show people that I can do that and that's why I made the move," Frampton said.

"My aerial work, my marking is my main threat and as a forward, I kick my goals.

"I'm a pretty good runner, pretty athletic and just try to compete as much as I can and be as aggressive as I can."

Billy Frampton joins the Crows after being traded from Port Adelaide in exchange for future fourth-round selection.

"We have been watching Billy for awhile now and we believe he can have a real impact with us over the years to come," Crows list manager Justin Reid said.

"Billy is one of a number of young players we are bringing in to rejuvenate the list as the club moves forward. Whether it’s up forward or helping out in the ruck, Billy will add some real competitiveness to the team."

Uncontracted Billy Frampton will meet with the Crows over a possible move for 2020 as he remains stuck on the ruck fringe at Port Adelaide.

As a ruckman or key tall, Frampton is behind Scott Lycett, Peter Ladhams, Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall, with the Power also holding high hopes for young Sam Hayes.

Billy Frampton makes his AFL debut for Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval with 7 disposals (6 kicks and a handball), 5 marks, 15 hitouts and a goal in a 22-point loss to Essendon.

Port Adelaide select Billy Frampton with pick No.84 in 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's certainly a long-term project. He's quite athletic. We like the fact that he gets involved around the ground," Port list manager Jason Cripps said.

"He does have an impact and he can find the footy."