Frank Davis | Demonwiki (original) (raw)
DOB: 25 August <1944>
Debut: Round 13, 1964 against North Melbourne at
Last Game: Round 22, 1973 against North Melbourne at
From: Oakleigh YCW
Number: 40 (1964), 6 (1965-1973)
Honours:
Premiership Player - <1964>
Captain - <1970> - <1972>
Best and Fairest - <1970>
150 Heroes selection
Victoria state player - <1971>
Night Series winner - <1971>
Life Member - <1973>
Under 19s Best and Fairest - <1963>
Games: 168
Goals: 2
Career Statistics
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 1 | 100 | 39.88 |
Statistical categories led
Most games in jumper 6
First played with the Under 19s in <1962> after being denied a clearance to , Davis immediately impressed and won a permanent spot with the the next season. In <1964> he graduated to the , and was named on the supplementary list before debuting in the seniors midway through the year. He played just six games for the year, but broke into the side in Round 17 and held his spot through the finals series, playing in the Grand Final win when Brian Leahy was injured.
Davis ran second in the Best and Fairest in his rookie season despite missing six games for senior duty, and started his senior career with a bang by kicking a goal with his first kick but then didn't manage another for eight years. Instead of a goal sneak he turned into a reliable defender, first on the half-back flank, then in the back pocket after Neil Crompton was injured during <1965>.
Appointed captain in <1970>, Davis won the Best and Fairest that year. He was selected in the state squad that year but didn't play. In <1971> he ran third in the B&F and played for Victoria for the first time.
In <1973> he was replaced as captain by Stan Alves, playing 18 more games before retiring from VFL football.
Coach
Only game as coach: Round 8, 1979 vs at Princes Park
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 |
After coaching Oakleigh YCW in <1967> while still a player, Davis' first engagement after his VFL career ended was with North Gambier in <1974>. He remained there through <1975>, then moved to Berwick in <1976> and back to Melbourne as coach in <1977> and Under 19s coach in <1978>.
Davis served as an assistant to Carl Ditterich in <1979>. He acted as caretaker during pre-season until Ditterich won his clearance from St Kilda, and is credited as senior coach for the Round 8, 1979 match where Ditterich was suspended and not allowed to enter the field during breaks. A week earlier an injury crisis led to him sitting on the bench for the just to make up the numbers.
Coached Frankston in <1980> but was sacked midway through the season after three wins in 10 games, then Springvale in <1981>. He later assisted with the coaching of the Under 19s under old teammate Ray Biffin, and was was Hawthorn's country development officer from <1982> to <1985> and recruiting manager between <1986> and <1995>. In <1988> he was assistant coach of the Victorian state Under 17s.
From <2005> to <2009> Davis worked as a part time recruiting officer with Melbourne, before returning to Hawthorn in the same role from <2010> through <2020>.
| Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1964> | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| <1965> | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| <1966> | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| <1967> | 17 | 0 | 4 |
| <1968> | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| <1969> | 16 | 0 | 1 |
| <1970> | 22 | 0 | 3 |
| <1971> | 21 | 0 | 2 |
| <1972> | 21 | 0 | 4 |
| <1973> | 18 | 1 | 0 |
Lists
Goal with their first kick
Notes
Inside Football 10/07/1980 incorrectly shows him as Reserves/Under 19s coach for all of <1977> to <1979>.
Media
Age - 31/01/1973, 21/06/1974, 28/09/1976, 12/01/1979, 24/05/1979, 14/12/1988, 17/12/1995
Inside Football - 08/05/1980, 03/07/1980, 10/07/1980, 09/04/1981
Links
Boyles Football Photos
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Wikipedia profile