James Polkinghorne

Recruited from the Calder Cannons with pick 41 in the 2007 National Draft, James Polkinghorne established himself as a nuggety midfielder-forward during a transitional era for the Brisbane Lions. Noted for his physical strength and ability to impact the scoreboard from distance, his defining moment came in Round 10, 2012, when he slotted a match-winning torpedo from outside 50 metres to sink West Coast at the Gabba. Despite being a consistent presence in the senior side for several seasons, struggles with form and injury led to his delisting at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

Returning to Victoria, Polkinghorne initially joined Essendon's VFL program before being handed an AFL lifeline under unique circumstances. Following the season-long suspensions of 34 past and present Bombers players due to the supplements saga, he was recruited as a 'top-up' player for the 2016 season. He added valuable experience to a depleted list, playing seven games for the club to surpass the 100-game milestone before finishing his career at the state league level. While rarely a headline act, his utility value and that solitary, spectacular goal ensure his place in Brisbane history.