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.