[1] A fast and agile wing, with an ability to effortlessly change direction, Frawley was at club and representative levels generally positioned on the outside of rugby league Immortal Dally Messenger, creating a formidable combination.

[citation needed] He served as a Trooper in the 3rd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse during the Second Boer War in South Africa.

He first experienced rugby union during his time in South Africa and was chosen in a Commonwealth Serviceman's team which competed against a representative Australian side.

In 1908 back in Sydney, Frawley turned to the new professional code and in rugby league's early years he was one of the game's most exciting players.

In the 1908 NSWRFL season Frawley played in Easts' first match and was later selected to represent City New South Wales against Queensland.

Frawley spent the Australian summer of 1909–10 playing in the 1909–10 Northern Rugby Football Union season with English club Warrington, after having signed with them during the previous year's Kangaroo Tour.

This gave the club permanent ownership of the New South Wales Rugby League's first trophy, the Royal Agricultural Society Shield.

Former teammate Horrie Miller, many years later, recalled "I remember Dan walking onto the field one day against a champion winger.