Coodabeen Champion: Frankie Raso

By Johnson#26

Num 46
Born: 12/9/79
Height: 176cm
Weight: 73kg
Previous Club: Preston Under 18’s/Preston RSL
Debut: 1998
Games: 19
Goals: 1
Awards: Nil

Another of Tony Shaw’s batch of failed AFL footballers, Frankie Raso will always be remembered by the Collingwood faithful. Small, and fleet of foot, Raso had great passion and courage but was often failed by his lack of foot skills and poor decision making.

Raso was selected at pick 84 in the 1997 National draft and continued to play 11 games of the 1998 season. He was selected for his first game against Hawthorn in round one, in which he only registered one handball. By round three, he was demoted to the reserves. However, he made his senior return in round 12, where he stayed, until round 20.

In that time he showed raw courage and pace, but was often found out with his lack of foot skills, which often left Magpies supporters tearing their hair out. One bright moment was in round 15, on a cold winter’s day against Geelong, Raso booted the winning goal just prior to the siren.

Season 1999 was not a memorable one for Raso, who did not crack the first 22 until round eleven, against Melbourne on the Queens Birthday. He played off the half back flank, until he was again dropped for round 19 – his final game of league football.

Raso now plays senior football for the Northern Bullants in the VFL, and displays the same courage and tenacity that made him an AFL footballer. Magpie supporters can still remember the sight of the number 46 bobbing in and out of the packs, working as hard as ever for the loose ball. However, he lacked the necessary skills to play at the elite level.

Johnson#26