Richmond will allow teenager Daniel Jackson to miss Saturday's clash against arch-rivals Collingwood at the MCG in order for him to play with his school - Carey Grammar - one last time.
The Tigers have decided on the move as a show of faith towards the school, for steering a player they believe is destined for a 10-year career at Punt Road towards an AFL career.
Jackson, 18, has made a huge impact in his two games to date and has already been compared to a young Justin Leppitsch.
But instead of taking on the Pies in front of 50,000 fans at the MCG on Saturday, the Year 12 student will play for Carey Grammar against Scotch College.
"He goes with best wishes from us and while it's disappointing for us he won't play this week, he will be back the week after," Frawley said of Jackson at training on Tuesday.
"It just shows he is a kid of great character and it's pretty selfless to go back and play with his schoolmates one last time."
"He wouldn’t be playing footy if it wasn't for Carey because he was keen to play soccer and basketball when he was in years seven and eight but Richmond supporters over the next ten to 12 years will be glad he chose football, after what we have seen in the past two weeks."
It is not the first time an AFL player has missed a match because of school footy commitments with Essendon's Dustin Fletcher missing a game in similar circumstances in 1993.
Frawley said it was the emergence of youngsters such as Jackson, Tom Roach, Kelvin Moore and Brent Hartigan that had enabled him to maintain his enthusiasm for his job - despite the Tigers' nine match losing streak and the knowledge he won't be coaching the side next year.
This is in stark contrast to Hawthorn's Peter Schwab, who left the Hawks on Wednesday, just days after learning he would not be coach next year and Adelaide's Gary Ayres, who left the club immediately after being told he would not be re-appointed for 2005 earlier this season.
"I am really excited by our youngsters and how they are going and I am encouraged by the players' work ethic and the way they are applying themselves," Frawley said.
"With Peter Schwab his circumstances were different to mine and give him the respect he deserves because he is a champion person and a great servant of football."
Frawley said the Tigers were likely to regain skipper Wayne Campbell and possibly Nathan Brown from injury this week, while Darren Gaspar was a strong chance to return from the VFL.
However reigning club champion Mark Coughlan - who hasn’t played since round five due to groin problems - is likely to spend another week with Coburg in the VFL.
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=162617So that means.
In: Campbell
Out: Jackson
Leave browny till he is cherry ripe
