James PROMOTED

[thommoone]

FB

[BAM_BAM]

It's been a long hard road. I'm over the moon for him. We've watched him with great interest over the past few weeks in the ressies. Well done Heath.

[floppinab]

Is the promotion of a rookie player, it just happens to be James, a mere formality that you do when a season-ending injury occurs?

I wouldn't call it a formality, it's an option clubs have in the case of a long term injury to a senior list player.

When you consider that there must still be some question over Stephen Doyle's potential to come back this season promoting James as a bloke who can play tall, has a bit more experience under his belt than LRT or Mickle makes sense.

And it is ****en fantastic for the bloke too!!!!

Still remember seeing his dad running around for Port Adelaide, was a tough strong backman in his day (and I understand sits on the Board of Port Power today).

[sharp9]

Originally posted by sharpie

Is the promotion of a rookie player, it just happens to be James, a mere formality that you do when a season-ending injury occurs?

Or is this a more significant appointment? I.e. does this mean Roosy is seriously considering giving him a game in the seniors in the lead up to the finals?

rookie promotion is very significant. For example last year the Swans had 5 or 6 rookies....all were delisted except McGlone, who is still a rookie.

Players who make the step up from rookie are very rare, and if they do so and go on to make an impact then the fact that they were a rookie is often a talking point (ie Michael Osborne at Hawthorn).

Teams can promote rookies to the senior list at the end of the year (meaning they don't have to draft them) and can promote rookies to the senior squad if one of the seniors retires or goes on the long term injury list.

I believe that the Swans went in with a senior player short this year, anyway. We all assumed that this was so that James could go onto the senior list at anytime if his form and fitness warranted. Meanwhile the club saves money by only paying him rookie wages.

I guess that Rookie Meiklejohn might stay on the senior list even when Doyle comes back. Actually with Thewlis and Buchanan out we could promote another couple if we wanted to!

[BAM_BAM]

Originally posted by sharp9

I guess that Rookie Meiklejohn might stay on the senior list even when Doyle comes back. Actually with Thewlis and Buchanan out we could promote another couple if we wanted to!

I forgot Josh wasn't a "rookie". I was concerned that as we've brought up Heath that Doyle may not be ready this season, but of course with Josh and Amon both being long term injuries it does open the door.

I'm breathing a little easier now.

[bomber-princess]

Well Done and Congratulations Heath!!! Good Luck for the rest of the season!!

[GoBloods]

fantastic

fantastic- the best thread i have read today. good on you heath , what an inspiration to us all. hope heath can now finally get on with his footy career and be a regular senior player.

[penga]

great news!

[Charlie]

We came into season 2003 with 37 players. With Cressa on the vet's list, that leaves two spots open. So, there's no worry at all about Meiklejohn, James and Doyle all being on the list at the same time.

[Troy G]

I told Heath that when he plays back in the Seniors that the Swans and fans should declare it Heath James Day!

Forget Canberra AFL Day ( we all did!) make it something that means something to the fans! They should have Heath James face masks! I pointed out to Heath in a recent interview that if it wasn't for the fans then Heath wouldn't be a Swan, he was puzzled but then I explained that it was true because the fans campaigned for Roos and without Roos he wouldn't be a Swan! He had never thought of it that way and he immediately thanked -on the radio- "everyone listening out there!"

Next home game.....Heath James Day!
A celebration of the player and the inspiration he is to his fans and teammates! Not a dry eye in the house!

[Nico]

Just for you Floppy.

Max James 1978-82 - 55 games, 58 goals, hence Heath coming to us under Father-Son rule.

Must be genetic because Max had hammie problems also, but boy when he was in full flight from Half Back there was no better sight.
Good penetrating kick, with a top turn of speed.

Heath plays very much like Max.

Max took the best mark I saw on he wing at the Lake Oval, right in front of his adoring fan club near the scoreboard.

You could see him coming for a week, he took off from a mile back like the great steeplechaser, Crisp, and took this sensational mark literally standing on top of the pack.

When he took the mark the roar went up, Maaaaaaaaaaaaxie!

Top player whose potential was dampened by injury.

Go Heath.

[NMWBloods]

Ah yes - I remember Max James as well. Came to us with a huge rep, and we were able to see it at times, but unfortunately not enough due to injury. I remember him taking one of the marks of the year at CHF.

[blinddog]

I believe Heath's grandfather played in the SAFL (or equivelent) as well. Making him a third generation player - of course if there was a forth the kid will have hammie probs and probably only make 2 games.