COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell says Josh Fraser has been sensational in 2009 and would be the All Australian ruckman if the side was picked today.

Maxwell said he was tired of Fraser being the whipping boy when things went wrong but the club’s opinion of the ruckman was all that mattered.

Fraser was criticised after the Pies’ Anzac Day defeat to Essendon on Saturday.

Bomber Patrick Ryder was best afield and won the Anzac Medal opposed to Fraser after being thrust into the ruck to replace injured big man David Hille.

SEN commentator and former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas, in particular, questioned Fraser’s efforts.

But Maxwell, who this week signed a two-year contract extension that ensures he will remain at the club until at least the end of 2011, says Collingwood’s No.1 ruckman has been superb all season.

“Josh would have to be [the] All-Australian ruckman at this point [of the season],” Maxwell said at the Lexus Centre on Tuesday.

“He’s had four sensational games. He had one game that wasn’t up to the same standard of the first four weeks.

“You can’t bag him; he’s been sensational for us and he’s led the club.”

Maxwell said Thomas’ opinion counted for nothing at Collingwood and that Fraser hadn’t worried about it at all.

“Because one person says something [it] doesn’t mean it’s true,” he said.

“If I tell Josh Fraser that he’s done something wrong then he’ll worry about it.

 “Unless you’re a part of the club, your opinion doesn’t matter to us.”

Maxwell’s comments came on top of backing earlier in the day from Collingwood assistant coach Brad Scott and football manager Geoff Walsh.