KEY defender Sam Frost has signed a two-year deal with the club and will remain with Melbourne until at least the end of the 2019 season.
The 24-year-old acknowledged he considered his options, but ultimately always wanted to remain in the red and blue, after originally making his AFL debut with GWS Giants against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in round 17, 2012.
“There was interest [from other clubs] and I think it crosses your mind and you think ‘what if’ a little bit, but deep down, I just couldn’t picture myself leaving Melbourne to be honest,” Frost told melbournefc.com.au.
“I’m more of a gut feel [person] more than anything else and there was no way I could’ve gone.”
Frost conceded it had been a bit of an “ordeal” but added that his contract for 2018-19 worked out in the end.
“I left the majority of it up to my manager and the club,” he said.
“It took them a while to tease out the finer details of it all, but in the end, I was just really happy to get it done, and both parties are happy with the result.
“It all worked out well in the end.”
Selected at No.1 in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft (held in late 2011) by GWS Giants from Ormond/Wesley College/Sandringham Dragons, Frost was later elevated onto GWS’ senior list.
He played 21 matches for the Giants from 2012-14, before being traded to Melbourne.
Frost has since played 35 games for Melbourne after making his debut for the Demons in round one, 2015.
The athletic tall played 16 games in 2017 – equalling his best haul of matches in a season for the third time, along with 2014 (GWS Giants) and 2016.
Despite having his best AFL season – winning career-best disposals, marks, tackles and rebounds, for example – Frost still had his frustrations.
His JLT Community Series and early part of the season was interrupted by a foot injury, while he played the final three rounds in the VFL. And of course, there was Melbourne’s agonising end to the season.
“It’s probably still a bit raw – the way the season ended and the way my season ended,” Frost said.
“I knew I was out of form, and it was valid and fair, but the frustrating thing was my bad form and the few bad games in the seniors – I wasn’t able to turn it around in the VFL. A lot of players go through form slumps and it’s never always smooth sailing.
“But I’m hoping in a couple of weeks’ time, when I’m relaxed a bit and had a chance to reflect on the bigger picture, it’s been my best year by far, personally, in my six years. It still hurts missing finals, and the way I finished the year, but looking back, it’s still been a positive year for me.”
Overall, Frost said Melbourne simply missed a golden opportunity.
“We let ourselves down this year. We thought we were good enough. We beat some of the teams that made the finals, so that gives us a lot of excitement about the next two years and where the club is at,” he said.
“The way we’re developing and progressing – it’s exciting times and it’s only going to get better. It’s not so slow anymore.
Although he has been a versatile player in his time at Melbourne – he has played forward and in the ruck – Frost sees himself as a key defender.
“I’d like to see myself there now. I’m just trying to develop and keep going the way I’ve been going and hopefully I’ll hold down a key back spot – or whatever the team needs me to do. I want to keep trending upwards,” he said.
“I think that’s where the coaches see me playing and I just feel more comfortable down there and the way I play, I like having the game in front of me.
“I think it really suits me and there are some things I can really bring to the team from that position that will hopefully win us some games and contribute to the team.”
