Adam explained that he was also there representing Frazer’s father Andrew (who in 1986 represented Melbourne in two senior matches) and mother Heather, who were committed to a prior engagement and unable to attend the match, but were instead kept in the loop by Adam as Frazer emerged from the dugout in the final quarter and finished off his good work with a post-final siren goal, his first as a Carlton senior footballer.
“I was on the phone to them all the time,” Adam said of his unusual role. “I was fortunate enough to be here, and at every opportunity I was talking or texting... modern technology’s great isn’t it.
”It was wonderful to see Frazer come on and do what he did. The whole family’s as proud as punch because Frazer’s worked hard, but has a lot more to do of course. I know his Mum and Dad are so proud of him. They love the fact that he’s been given an opportunity, that the club’s been great to him and I’ve just come along for the ride . . . it’s wonderful.”
Adam conceded that his football career was pretty much confined to a handful of senior matches for Parade College’s First XVIII, whereas “Frazer’s Dad was a terrific footballer, achieved his dream of playing League football and would have loved to have played more games of course”.
“Clearly, Frazer’s got great pedigree in that sense, as has his other siblings who have good sporting talents and skills, so he’s in good company,” Adam said. “He’s worked hard and it’s a hard thing, professional sport, but he’s doing a great job so far.”
For the record, Adam took six wickets in two Tests for Australia, against India in Bangalore in 1997-98 and the West Indies in St John's in 1998-99. He also represented his country in 30 One Day Internationals and having travelled north to pursue his cricketing career was the only Queenslander in the victorious 1999 World Cup squad.
In all, he took 245 first class career wickets at the outstanding average of 20.76, having made his first class debut for Queensland in 1996-97. During his time in the Bulls squad (1994-2003), Queensland won five Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup titles and two domestic One Day titles, and in no small part due to him.
So has Frazer called on Uncle Adam for advice?
“Oh, it’s more the support network he has,” Adam replied. “He has a really good network of people who love him and care about him and are there, whether it’s his Mum and Dad, myself or his Aunty Nicki.
“Thesedays you don’t really have to remind any kid that there’s an opportunity because everything’s in front of them - and Frazer’s a good kid, he’s very mature, he’s a good man actually and he knows what’s going on . . . so when you can watch someone like him unfold that way you’re just very proud.”
