The young All Australian backman says there is a faint chance he'll be fit enough to face the Sydney Swans in the Demons' season opener against Sydney after successful surgery and a previously flawless pre-season.
He has also been buoyed by the recent news his layoff will be between eight to 10 weeks, rather than the minimum three months that was originally projected.
"I haven't ruled out [round one]. It may be a long shot but hopefully I can get back by then and help the team out to win a few more games," he said on Wednesday.
Frawley said he thought he had injured his shoulder when he and his teammates heard a "pop" during a routine bench press drill two weeks ago.
Since the operation, he has been maintaining his fitness with bike and circuit work and will commence running in the coming weeks and weights in about a month.
"We did all the hard yards in the pre-season and now the boys are getting the rewards and playing games and having fun on the track," he said.
"Unfortunately, I have to miss all that but hopefully I don't miss too much."
Frawley sought advice from Melbourne general manager of player development Todd Viney, who sustained the same injury on both sides of his body during his playing career.
Viney, who managed the injuries without surgery, recommended Frawley go under the knife as he believed it would enable him to retain his power, which is a critical asset of the full-back's game.
The 22-year-old said he wasn't feeling any additional pressure to replicate the year he had in 2010, which led to his first All Australian guernsey and national representation in the October International Rules series in Ireland.
"This was a freak thing but it is hard to take, as is any injury, and in the first couple of days I was pretty down in the dumps, but after that you just have to get on with life and back into training," he said.
"I'm not really [feeling any pressure]. I thought I was pretty lucky to get in [to the All Australian team] last year.
"I'm just looking forward to getting my rehab right and getting out on the park and playing footy with the boys."
He also said players such as Tom Scully, Jack Trengove, Nathan Jones, Colin Garland and Jared Rivers were all performing well on the track.
"We've got a few players now who have played 50 games and there is enough experience to take the next step," he said.
