Jim Anderson
Essendon
AFL career
136 games13 goals
- Debut
- R1 1897 v GEE8 May 1897
- Most recent
- R14 1905 v COL19 Aug 1905
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Scotch College and Fitzroy Juniors, Jim Anderson was a foundational pillar for Essendon during its transition from a VFA powerhouse to a VFL foundation club. He arrived at the club in 1892 and immediately tasted success, playing in the "Same Olds" hat-trick of VFA premierships from 1892 to 1894. When the VFL breakaway occurred in 1897, Anderson was an automatic selection for the inaugural squad, etching his name in history as a member of the league's first-ever premiership team that same year.
On the field, Anderson was a cool and reliable key defender who anchored the backline, often lining up at centre half-back or full-back. His steady play under pressure was instrumental in securing a second VFL flag for the Bombers in 1901 against Collingwood. A natural leader, he captained the club in 1903 and 1904 before resigning late in his final season. Anderson retired as a titan of the club, becoming the first Essendon player to reach 200 combined VFA/VFL games, a club record that stood until it was eventually broken by Dick Reynolds in 1945.
Profile
- Born
- 17 Nov 1869
- Died
- 13 Sept 1947 (aged 77y 300d)
- Birthplace
- Casterton, VIC
- Deathplace
- Horsham, VIC
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1901
- Essendon captain(2×) 1903, 1904
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Scotch College and Fitzroy Juniors, Jim Anderson was a foundational pillar for Essendon during its transition from a VFA powerhouse to a VFL foundation club. He arrived at the club in 1892 and immediately tasted success, playing in the "Same Olds" hat-trick of VFA premierships from 1892 to 1894. When the VFL breakaway occurred in 1897, Anderson was an automatic selection for the inaugural squad, etching his name in history as a member of the league's first-ever premiership team that same year.
On the field, Anderson was a cool and reliable key defender who anchored the backline, often lining up at centre half-back or full-back. His steady play under pressure was instrumental in securing a second VFL flag for the Bombers in 1901 against Collingwood. A natural leader, he captained the club in 1903 and 1904 before resigning late in his final season. Anderson retired as a titan of the club, becoming the first Essendon player to reach 200 combined VFA/VFL games, a club record that stood until it was eventually broken by Dick Reynolds in 1945.