Underrated Demon the key says premiership coach

Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams rates Melbourne defender Sam Frost as the catalyst of the side’s surge to September.

While the likes of Jack Watts, Jeff Garlett, Jayden Hunt and Jack Viney demand the spotlight, Williams says the key defender’s influence should not be underestimated.

“He’s a guy that may have finished up on the scrapheap because you weren’t sure where he was going to fit in, but he’s done exceptionally well and is a vital part to the side’s success,” Williams told SEN Afternoons.

“The creation of run and breaking the opposition defence down is as a result of the stuff he does.”

A former GWS rookie selection in 2012, Frost, who played 21 games for the Giants, joined the Demons in 2014 and has played 28 games, including 25 of the past 34.

Ironically, the 23rd draft selection in 2014 the Demons exchanged to recruit Frost was used by the Giants to select Pat McKenna, who last year was traded to the Demons after he failed to play a senior game at the Giants.

In recent weeks Frost has been superb nullifying the likes of Taylor Walker, Jarryd Roughead and Tom Boyd while providing a springboard from defence.

While some question the 23-year-old’s skill execution and decision-making, Williams said the athletic defender’s positive play far outweighed the odd mistake.

“If he mucks up 20 per cent of the time, and 80 per cent of the time he does wonderful things and creates chains that end in scores, then they’ll (coaches) will be happy with him,” he said.

“What he’s got is a great temperament to get over the mistake and focus on the next contest.

“He’ll know that he has to keep going and make sure the great things he does will outshine the negatives.”

Frost shapes as a key piece of the puzzle in Saturday night’s blockbuster against West Coast at Domain Stadium given the possible return of Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy and the presence of athletic beast Jack Darling.

Melbourne has not beaten the Eagles in Perth since Round 19, 2002. The Dees have lost their past nine against West Coast dating back to 2010.