#25

Josh Fraser (born 5 January 1982) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League and plays for Collingwood.

From Mansfield via Murray U18, Fraser was the number one pick in the 1999 National Draft, going to Collingwood. The tall ruckman was quiet when arrived at Victoria Park but soon became a valuable senior player, and ended up playing 21 games in the season. He won an AFL Rising Star nomination in his debut year. In 2001 Fraser continued to press and show his ability, but as a ruckman, his 202 cm stature did not show, as his ruckwork was mediocre. He did however kick 21 goals in 21 games, and find the ball, no matter how tall he was, he was mobile.

He played all 25 games in 2002, but he was inconsistent, and was not improving in his prime position, the ruck. He though proved as a goalkicker, this time kicking 37 goals, and being a key member in the Grand Final side, he kicked 3 goals, following a 3 goal haul in the Preliminary Final.

His best season though came in 2003 where he showed why he was a no.1 draft pick. He found the ball as often as he could, having over 340 disposals in the season, but the main stat was he had 300 hitouts. He also chipped in with 20 goals.

In 2004 he was inconsistent, however showed he was one of the most important members to the side. His skills as a ruckman who could find the ball were once again seen, and when he was not playing, the Pies struggled. His best game came when he was 1 of only 2 players to beat All-Australian ruckman Peter Everitt in a game which saw Josh have 21 touches, 29 hitouts and kick 2 goals. He also bought up his 100th game. After being bested in one agame against Essendon in round 20, Fraser conceded that Essendon ruckman David Hille was his 'bogey' man.

The 2005 season was a year to forget for the Magpies, and for Fraser. Chronic knee injuries slowed his process and he only managed 5 games for the season.

Josh would enjoy a stellar 2006 season, being injury free and being one of the most respected ruckman during the year. He would play all 23 games with no real back-up, due to the lack of quality ruckman at the club. Fraser showed incredible mobility as a ruckman, despite his awkward look. He would be better as a tap ruckman also, having 341 hitouts for the year, his best return. Josh was a go to man across the ground and also provided good value moving up at half-forward, kicking 16.20. He would average more than 17 touches a game, more than 7 marks a game, and 15 hitouts. He finished 4th in the Copeland Trophy, along with Heath Shaw, only three votes behind the eventual winner Alan Didak.

In 2007, Josh Fraser had an up-and-down season in which he often seemed to be carrying injuries, although he didn't miss a game until Rd 20 against Melbourne. This would prove to be his second last game for the season, though, returning for the Elimination Final win against the Sydney Swans before withdrawing late against the West Coast Eagles the next week, effectively ending his 2007 campaign.

"He is a big strong guy who plays a bit differently than we have had our ruckman play. He will be a great tutor for Cam Wood, a terrific back-up for Josh Fraser, and with his size and the rule with the centre circle, he could quite easily play for seven years," Malthouse said. "He's relatively young, uninjured and he's very durable."
                       

Josh Fraser Round by Round... Season 2010