By Tim Mosey

Easts are on track to play finals footy in 2018 and their young flyhalf Jack Frampton is a bit reason why.

But Frampton is not your typical premier rugby player.

He didn’t spend three years playing first XV at a GPS school nor did he play Australian Schoolboys or Junior Wallabies.

He is though, a Tiger to the core.

“I’ve played at Easts since the under 7s,” 21 year old Frampton said.

“While I was at Ormiston College I spent my younger years playing touch more than rugby. I played First XV but took a couple of years off and came back in my second year of colts.

“I just wasn’t enjoying playing and who I was playing with so I took a break while I was in school.”

A carpenter by trade, Frampton has been at the centre of Easts’ charge towards the 2018 post season, just a few years after he gave the game away.

“When I came back and played colts I just wanted to enjoy myself again, meet some new people and enjoy playing footy.

“I think my time playing touch has certainly helped my game.”

Frampton’s senior career began last year, but not at the top in first grade.

“In 2017 I started in fifth grade and ended up playing premier grade by the end of the year.

“I only played a few games in first grade before I suffered a knee injury which put me back a bit. I managed to get back for finals in reserve grade, but that was it.

“This year is my first full crack at premier grade.”

When asked where he wishes to go with his career, Frampton is straight to the point.

“I’d love to play professional rugby. I think anyone who is playing footy, that is definitely a goal. I had a chat to one of my coaches last year who set me the goal of playing NRC. That is my goal this year.”

And he’s certainly on track to do that if he keeps playing like they did last Saturday.

Easts piled on 62 unanswered points against Wests at David Wilson field in a clinical and ruthless attacking display.

Frampton was at his best, scoring two tries and using his booming left foot to effect to get the Tigers out of trouble in their half.

The club has a steeped history of solid left footed five eighths – Tim Ashman, Tim Walsh, Paul Kahl and Andrew Scotney come to mind.

Of recent retirees from the club Frampton points to Matt Brandon as a good source of motivation.

“We definitely think about the previous guys who have been through the club. We look up to them and understand what they have contributed in the past.

“Matt gets to a few games and always has an encouraging word to say which is nice to hear. It’s great that these guys are still down there supporting.”

Frampton has also formed a lethal combination with young halfback Phoenix Hunt.

“Phoenix has been awesome to play with. He’s only 18 and he is killing it this year. He has handled it really well.

“I can’t wait to see what we can do at the end of the year.”

Easts fans are just as excited and now that the Tigers have qualified for the finals, they’ve set their sights on winning the Hospital Cup.

“We sat down after two losses at the beginning of the year and Ant (head coach Anthony Connellan) and Sione (assistant coach Sione Fukofuka) said ‘what do you want to do this year, what are we doing this year.’

“We couldn’t go on like we did last year. Gordo (skipper Matt Gordon) stepped up and said ‘we’re making finals. This is the end of it.’

“We then went on a streak of about six or seven games in a row.

“We have a side that can kick into second gear and put teams away if we need to.”

They showed that against the Doggies Saturday.

Easts were unstoppable and will be hard to contain come finals.

“The only thing preventing us from winning will be if we don’t put a full 80 minutes together. We can put a solid 20 minutes in at the start and then sometimes we can get a bit lost in the middle.

“Not playing good footy for 80 minutes I think is the only thing really stopping us going all the way.”

Frampton’s flat style of play has enabled ranging backrower and new comer to the club Jale Vakaloloma to run riot up the middle. Vakaloloma has regularly been on the receiving end of the long flat passes Frampton has been throwing all year.

“I don’t really know why I play so flat. Maybe it’s a result of all the touch footy I have played over the years.

“I feel like I have time at the line to throw those passes.”

Having the same side week in, week out has also helped helped.

“We have had some consistency this year in our selections. We haven’t had too many major injuries which has helped our continuity particularly in the backline.”

“Ant came up to me at the start of the year when I was coming off the bench and said ‘I want you to start against Sunnybank.’ That gave me confidence. Especially since last year I was playing fullback.

“I think he likes the way I play. He tells me when he doesn’t,” Frampton quips.

Connellan and Easts will hope Frampton continues his form over the coming month.

For spectators and club fans alike we hope so too. Catch Easts against GPS at Yoku Rd this weekend in the final round of competition.