SECOND-YEAR ruckman Billy Frampton will remain at Port Adelaide for at least another year after extending until the end of the 2017 season.
It gives more time for the West Australian to hone his craft with Port’s big man stocks after an encouraging, albeit injury-marred start to his career at Alberton.
Frampton played 10 times last year, including two finals, and became popular among Port Adelaide supporters for his aggressive approach to football.
As popular as his personal style might be, Frampton is under no illusions as to the task before him in his second year.
Having spent part of pre-season recovering from a foot problem, he is hoping to be cleared to play in Round 1.
From there, his priority is to play regular football and meet the standards of his coaches and teammates.
“I just want to get back and get my body right, get a good season of SANFL footy in and put my best foot forward,” Frampton told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I want to work hard to earn opportunities at AFL level, and if they do come, know that I’m well placed because I’ve played consistent footy in the SANFL.
“I’m trying to do what all the coaches want me to do and work hard to impress and show I can be a good AFL-standard ruckman.”
As much as Frampton will work hard on his craft in 2016, he believes his physicality is his strength and he will use that as a foundation for him to build other aspects of his game this year.
“It was a big step up – I’d only played Under-18s in WA the year before – so the physicality was another level,” Frampton said.
“But I think my game caters for that [physicality], and I didn’t find myself too out of place with that.
“It was certainly a step-up in terms of the game style, though – really congested footy.”
Frampton is the fourth of his draft year to re-commit to Port Adelaide, following similar contract extensions to Dougal Howard and Jesse Palmer (one year) and Logan Austin (two years).
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