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Don Fraser Jnr

Full Name: DON FRASER JNR
Date of Birth: 24/10/1922
Height: 183 cm ( 6-0 )
Weight: 87 kg ( 13-10 )
Guernsey: 21/33
Debut: 21/04/1945, Round 1, Footscray
Last Game: 30/08/1952, Round 19, Essendon


RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1945-52
Total Games: 124
Total Goals: 125

Honours: Victorian Representative Team Games 9 Goals 0.



RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons: 1941-42, 1946
Total Games: 16
Total Goals: 45

Honours: Leading Goalkicker 1941 Goals 36.



BIOGRAPHY
Don was a centre-half-forward and centre-half-back. Recruited locally to Richmond he originally played with the Richmond Seconds in 1941, prior to joining the Army . Playing as a full-forward, he was considered too light. He then served in the Army during World War 2 and whilst in the Army he built himself up to be a much stronger player. Army service plus a season wood chopping saw him arrive back at Richmond , in 1945, physically prepared for the rough and tumble of VFL football. Afterhis inconspicuous start , he later earned the nickname of “ Mopsy “ and went on to become one of the most rugged players ever to play with Richmond. He had red hair , a matching complexion coupled with an uncontrollable temper, at times . In 1952, against Collingwood , at Victoria Park he shirt-fronted the three Twomey brothers and a spectator who ran on the field to seek revenge.
Don is reported to have served 84 weeks suspension during the course of his career , although only twelve reports for a total for a total of 51 weeks suspension can be confirmed. Certainly, during his time with Richmond he only served a total of 16 weeks suspensions. He was a strong high mark , long kick and possessed fine evasive skills. His kicking for goal was sometimes astray and it was this problem that saw him transferred from centre-half-forward to defence . His highest individual goal tally was 7 against carlton in Round 18 of 1946. He scored 5 goals or more four times and won the Most Determined Trophy in 1950 and 1951. Once in defence he excelled playing the game in a very aggressive , straight ahead fashion. A fine team man he was a great protector of his smaller tean mates.
“ Mopsy “ had the unique distinction of representing Victoria 9 times , then the VFA and Tasmania once. After leaving Richmond he led Port Melbourne to the 1953 Premiership before a brief stint with Prahran . He certainly incurred the wrath of the VFA Tribunal when he was suspended for 10 matches in 1954and four in 1955 missing both Final series. He then received 16 matches suspension at Prahran for misconduct and abusing the umpire. His career finished in Tasmania in 1959. He died of a hear attack at a testimonial night held in Adelaide for a former Tiger teammate Jack Broadstock , in 1987. “ Mopsy “ was a likeable , sociable rogue who was very popular with his teammates . He was the son of Don Fraser Senior.



PRE RICHMOND
Richmond Districts 1940.


POST RICHMOND
Port Melbourne 1953-56, Games 33, Goals 47 ( Honours - Premiership 1953, Captain/Coach 1953-56, VFA Representative Team Games 1 Goals 0 ; Prahran Captain/Coach 1957, Games 4, Goals 6 ; East Launceston 1957-59, Games 26, Goals 35 ( Honours - Captain/Coach League Representative Team 1958 Games 1 Goals 4, Tasmanian Representative Team Games 1 Goals 0.

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