James Aish

James Aish (born 8 November 1995) is a former professional Australian rules football player who played with the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood Football Club and Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life He is the son of former Norwood midfielder Andrew Aish, the nephew of 1981 Magarey Medallist Michael Aish and the grandson of former Norwood captain Peter Aish.

Aish broke a South Australian National Football League (SANFL) record by becoming the youngest Norwood player in 134 years to debut at league level.

AFL career Aish was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with their first selection and 7th overall in the 2013 AFL draft.

He went on to play in all but one of the team's 21 senior matches (he was rested from the Lions' Round 14 clash against Fremantle in Perth) and collected 20 or more disposals on nine occasions. Aish ranked 6th at the club in total disposals (370), 4th in marks (94), 5th in tackles (77), and 7th in clearances (43). He finished fourth in the NAB AFL Rising Star award – behind Lions teammate Lewis Taylor who was awarded the Ron Evans Medal – and finished ninth in his maiden Merrett–Murray Medal count.

In October 2015, he was traded to Collingwood.

He was traded to Fremantle at the conclusion of the 2019 AFL season. Aish's first season at Fremantle was during the COVID-19 affected 2020 AFL season, which saw only 17 games played instead of 21. Aish finished the season having played all but one game. Although traditionally a midfielder before joining Fremantle, Aish's versatility meant he often spent time rotating between the wing, midfield and defence.

Round 16 of the 2022 AFL season saw Aish collect 29 disposals and kick 2 goals during Fremantle's 8-point win over at Optus Stadium.

Aish collected an equal career-high 31 disposals and was among Fremantle's best in Round 3 of the 2023 AFL season, during the Western Derby.

Aish made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against his former side the at Optus Stadium. Aish played an important role collecting 26 disposals and six score involvements during the 23-point come from behind win. He collected 29 disposals two weeks later in round three against at Optus Stadium. Aish was one of Fremantle's better players in round four during their game against at Adelaide Oval, which was played in Adelaide due to the AFL's Gather Round. He finished the game with 27 disposals. The match was not without controversy as a kick which was touched by James before being marked by Matt Cottrell went unseen by the AFL umpire's, resulting in a crucial Carlton goal in the last two minutes of the game. The poor officiating was subject to both media scrutiny and fan backlash in the days following.

Aish announced his retirement at the conclusion of Fremantle's 2025 season.

Personal life Aish is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Deakin University.

Statistics

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