Watch CTV's exclusive interview with Josh Fraser on Wednesday
Josh Fraser profileCollingwood ruckman Josh Fraser has signed a new three-year contract, keeping him in black and white until the end of the 2010 season.
After weeks of speculation in the media suggesting the 1999 number one overall draft pick was going to enter the pre-season draft, Fraser was delighted to confirm on Wednesday that his future is at Collingwood.
“It’s a great thing, I’m really excited about going forward with the club, particularly coming off the season we had this year,” Fraser said at the Lexus Centre after training.
“I think there are some pretty good times ahead, so yeah, I’m really happy to stay involved with the footy club.”
Rumours of Fraser leaving Collingwood proved exactly that – rumours.
“To be honest, I think a lot of it was just a timing issue. Obviously coming out of contract, and (the club) playing a fair bit of finals football, and then once the season had finished it was an opportunity to get away, so I took off for a couple of weeks overseas.
“These things always take a little while, I guess when there’s money involved there’s always a few things to iron out, but it’s probably been the case for three or four weeks now, just getting around to signing the papers.
“So once training got underway it was an opportune time, so I’m really happy to have done it and got it out of the way.”
After enjoying a fine 2006 season which resulted in a fourth-placing in the EW Copeland Trophy voting, Fraser produced patches of his best during 2007 but an ongoing back problem eventually wore him down and kept him out of the finals against West Coast and Geelong.
But at 25 years of age (he turns 26 in January), Fraser is feeling good physically and firmly believes his best is ahead of him.
“I’ve got no doubt my best footy’s still to come. I’ve used the break to not only go away and freshen up, but to do some training to make sure the injury issues I had towards the latter part of the year don’t raise their head again.
“I’m really excited by the group, I think we’ve got a great young group and a great spread of leadership through the club, it’s something that really excites me."
His goals for the pre-season and 2008 are simple… get as fit as he can and help the Magpies improve on their preliminary final finish of 2007.
“Initially I just want to make sure I can do every session I can. I’m on a program that’s going to make me do two hard sessions a week, and probably a lighter day, which is usually the Wednesday, so that’s tailored to getting enough training in and obviously getting the rest that I need as well.
“But the body feels great, I came back and was able to do the time trial and those sorts of things, so that’s a step in the right direction.
“In terms of 12 months down the track, I want to get the club, or help get the club back to playing finals football, and being a kick away from playing off in a grand final, we’ve got a little bit of work to do, but as I said, I think this group’s got it in them.”
He will also have a new ally in black and white this year, with promising former Brisbane ruckman Cameron Wood secured by the Magpies in the AFL trade period recently.
“I think he (Wood) is going to be great for the club.
“He’s a great size and at a really good age where he’s still got a lot of improvement left in him, so he’s been a good pick up.
“Obviously our recruiting staff and coaching staff think there’s enough there to give up a first round pick, so it’s very exciting to have him on board, and I’m sure he’s going to play some pretty important roles for us throughout the year.”
