Tribute to Des James

Tributes are flowing for Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame Legend Des James, arguably the greatest indigenous player to represent the state.

Originally from Shepparton in Victoria, James played in three consecutive premierships with Sandy Bay in the 1970’s and represented Tasmania 24 times.

Brisbane Lions’ coach Chris Fagan played both with and against James and has likened him to Essendon’s 1993 Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen.

“He was sort of a similar ilk, similar style of player, just always looked like he had so much time,” he said.

“I honestly believe if there had been a draft around back then, Desy would have been playing AFL football for sure – he would be today, he’s the quintessential intercept ground-ball marking player that a lot of teams now have.”

James, whose brother Glenn umpired the 1982 and 1984 VFL Grand Finals, was a brilliant back-pocket and regarded as a scrupulously fair player.

Fagan reflects fondly on their tussles in clashes between Sandy Bay and Hobart.

“He was one of the legends of the competition [and] he was so hard to play on that guy,” Fagan recalls.

“He just had this amazing ability to read the ball before you did.

“You’d think you were just about to take a mark and then this blue and white flash would come across the front, take the mark and beat you to the ball by about half a metre.”

James was named an All-Australian at the 1979 state carnival and was a mentor to Fagan when the pair played in state sides together.

“I was a young bloke when I first got into the Tassie team and because we played a bit against each other he sort of took me under his wing a little bit on those state trips,” Fagan said.

“He’d always play well but he always knew where the night clubs were afterwards.

“In my time in Tassie footy… he was the man.”