The occasionally maligned former Collingwood ruckman was recruited by the GC SUNS and was generally rock solid.
Although a back injury affected his form early in the season, Fraser was a strong contributor in the forward line and was a valuable foil for Zac Smith in the ruck.
Got better as the season wore on and a fit Fraser will again be crucial to Gold Coast SUNS progress in 2012 as its young ruckmen take time to develop.
Hailing from Mansfield in rural Victoria, Collingwood took Fraser with its much-publicised first pick in the star-studded 1999 draft.
An AFL Rising Star nominee in his first senior season, Fraser’s early years in the game were hallmarked by an ability to combine mobile ruckwork with a pinch-hitting role as a goal-kicking forward, one that saw him average more than a goal a game over the course of his first three seasons. His best season was 2006, one that saw him finish third in the Magpies’ Best and Fairest, equal with Heath Shaw and just a few votes short of eventual winner Alan Didak.
As a hugely experienced footballer, Fraser will be looked upon as a leader and mentor for the GC SUNS young playing group. And with GC SUNS ruck stocks still very much developing, Fraser’s role as a mature and seasoned ‘tall’ at the club will be crucial.
Player honours: AFL Rising Star nominee 2000.
Previous AFL club: Collingwood (2000-10: 200 games,156 goals).
Brownlow Medal: career votes 32.
Draft history: 1999 National AFL Draft priority selection (Collingwood) No. 1 overall; 2010 uncontracted player selection (Gold Coast).
