I’ve got a confession - and an apology - to make. I was wrong about you as a player.
As a supporter in 1997, I watched you make your debut against Collingwood in round 17, and witnessed you play four matches that season.
I saw some attributes in you, but was more impressed with another promoted rookie - Russell Robertson, who debuted late in the season.
As a quick aside, history shows Melbourne came out on top from the inaugural 1997 rookie draft, with you, Russell Robertson, Daniel Ward, Matthew Bishop, Nathan Bassett and Duncan O’Toole. I know Bassett didn’t play for the Dees, but he was a first-class player for Adelaide. Only O’Toole didn’t play an AFL game.
But back to you.
In 1998, you played 22 matches, including three finals, a fine effort for a second year player. But, I’ve got to concede, I wasn’t convinced.
And from all reports, when Neale Daniher was appointed coach in the lead-up to the ’98 season, he too had to be convinced about you as a player. So, surely I couldn’t have been that far off the mark?
I mean, how could a slight, small, almost nondescript player etch out an AFL career, when no ‘party tricks’ were evident on face value?
I still wasn’t convinced in 1999 or for the early part of 2000. But I noticed a shift in your game in the latter part of 2000, when you averaged more than 22 disposals in four matches and played a fine match against the Sydney Swans in round 18 (later you earned three Brownlow votes for that performance).
Cruelly, you were cut down with a knee injury the following round and missed the 2000 finals campaign and the early part of 2001.
Upon your return during 2001, I still had my doubts over your ability.
Although I acknowledged your efforts to finish second - coincidentally to Robertson - in the 2003 best and fairest, I still wondered. (I realise now in retrospect I let past judgment cloud my opinion of your season).
According to the AFL Record Season Guide 2006 you were “one of the club’s most respected and durable players”. You were also entering your 10th AFL season and had 153 matches under your belt. Yet, I still wasn’t a true believer.
By season’s end, you had given me the type of whack around the head that the woman gives the man with a fish in the Fisherman’s Friend commercial.
I realise now I made a grave mistake.
Your 2006 season was nothing short of outstanding. But even you would acknowledge you took your game to another level.
The level you played was elite. By season’s end, I wasn’t surprised in the slightest that you were named All-Australian, won Melbourne’s best and fairest and represented Australia with distinction. Your tackling was fierce - it was no surprise you led the competition in that discipline.
As if to suggest 2006 was no fluke, you deservedly won your second best and fairest the following season.
By then, I had turned full circle. I was a fully-fledged, genuine admirer of you.
Still, when you were named sole captain at the start of 2009, I did wonder if being skipper was right for you.
Nothing wrong with your character, but I wondered if the extracurricular of captaincy would sit well the laid-back country lad from Waubra.
Not long into 2009 and fast-forwarding to now - you proved me wrong yet again.
I have no doubt now - you have been an outstanding leader and one who leads by example. You’ve flourished in your position with your ‘actions speak louder than words’ style. But even when I’ve heard you speak at key football functions, the likeable and strong country flavour comes through with flying colours.
Character always comes to the fore - this certainly has with you.
It’s been a privilege to get to know you via my role as a football writer. I feel awful I didn’t ‘rate’ you early in your career. I rarely bag footballers, understanding the brutal nature of the industry and how difficult it is to earn a spot on an AFL list. Why did I single you out? I didn’t look hard enough. I truly feel bad.
I’d like to think I am a good judge of character, but I totally stuffed up with you!
James, you’re everything good about the game. You worked tirelessly to achieve what you have. And it hasn’t come easy for you.
I also reckon it’s fitting that the only two AFL-listed players born in October 1976 are set to finish in round 22 - you and Brett Kirk. You are already No.1 for the most matches played by a former rookie, and Kirk will be No.2 by season’s end. But the similarities between you don’t just relate to statistics.
In 2010, few are more universally admired by the club - and the football community at large - than you and Kirk.
Yep, you’re not much chop are you James? Boy, am I glad I got this one wrong!
You deserve every accolade that comes your way - you’re a Melbourne great.
Congratulations and best wishes. Please accept my apology.
Yours sincerely,
Matt.
