Jack James

Standing just 165cm, Jack James was a diminutive rover and forward pocket who carved out a significant career at St Kilda after initially being overlooked by Richmond. A product of the Beverley junior club, he found his way to the Saints via South Yarra and quickly established himself as a sharp-shooting small man. His time at the Junction Oval was highlighted by three leading goalkicker awards (1919, 1920, and 1924) and representative honours for Victoria, with his dual-sided kicking and precise passing making him a dangerous proposition around the goals despite his slight frame.

James's journey to Punt Road was eventually realised in 1926, though it came five years after a failed attempt to cross over. He had sought a clearance to the Tigers in 1921, only for the permit committee to block the move, forcing him to remain with St Kilda where he continued to perform consistent service. When he finally donned the yellow and black for a single season, he added valuable experience to the lineup before finishing his VFL career with nearly 140 games to his name.