James GWILT

2016 Digest:   It originally looked like he was picked up as a “depth” player, but in the second half of the season found himself matched against much bigger forwards as he was so often in the past at St Kilda. Groin problems wiped out his final month.

2016 NAB Cup:   Played a couple of NAB Challenge games and has been strong down back.

2016 Season

Played for : Essendon

1	GCS	Rebounded well and took a couple of good intercept marks.	5
2	Melb	Beat Hogan early then moved to other match-ups. Key player who provided drive from back half.	7
3	Port	Switched to Dixon early in the game and gave up 14cm.	5
4	Geel	Mopped up in the back end and provided some drive. In some good form.	6
5	Coll	Hard day in defence for the experienced backman.	3
6	Carl	Battled Jones for long periods and had the better of that match up. Handy.	6
7	Syd	Provided plenty of rebound out of the backline and was serviceable as the third tall.	4
8		Rested.
9	StK	Demanding game against a tall attack, but kept his cool and was a workmanlike defender.	6
10	Rich	Stood Griffiths at times and did what he could. Steady with ball in hand out of back half.	6
11	Frem	Did a good job on Taberner.	5
12	Haw	Picked up ruckmen at times and also matched on Gunston. Honest game.	5
13	GWS	Did a superb on Patton despite being under sized. Intercepted well all day.	7
15	WCE	A good outlet from defence. Had plenty of the ball.	6
16	StK	Was kept busy in defence but more than held his own.	6
17	Rich	On McBean and good until hurting left knee in second term. Tried to return but put on ice.	3
18		Knee.
19		Knee.
20		Knee.
21		Knee.
22		Knee.
23		Knee.

2015 Season

Played for : Essendon

1		–
2	Haw	Had hands full with Gunston in first game for club.	4
3	VFL	Up and down afternoon against old mates in defence.	–
4	VFL	Plenty of the footy down back and ball use was top rate.	–
5		Rested.
6	Frem	Did well in defence. Gave away little and had 17 touches.	6
7	VFL	Steady enough in defence but is just paddling.	–
8	VFL	Solid enough in defence.	–
9	VFL	Solid effort in defence. Cool under pressure.	–
10	Geel	Worked hard alongside Hooker to repel Cats when he could.	6
11	WCE	Had his hands full in defence. Tried hard.	5
13	Haw	Handy down back on a variety of opponents. Used ball well when he got it.	6
14	StK	Began on Bruce and couldn’t hold him. Kept trying but in vain.	4
15	Melb	Beat Dawes and won plenty of pill in process. Steady head down back.	7
16	NM	Gave away height to Brown who got points, but competed well in one-on-ones.	5
17	Port	Schulz got away from him for first goal, but then stuck close and did OK.	5
18	WB	Steady all day in back half but in the end weight of ball took its toll.	7
19	GWS	Did a good job down back on Patton but pulled up with sore groin and was subbed.	5
20		Groin.
21		Groin.
22		Groin.
23		Adductor.

2014 Season

Played for : St Kilda

1	Melb	Capable game capped off by thumping goal from outside 50.	6
2	GWS	Had his hands full with Giles early and was then shifted.	4
3	WCE	Had to contend with much larger opposition again but battled on.	5
4	Adel	Taller forwards stretched him. Went to attack and kicked a lovely goal.	5
5	Ess	Picked up various Bomber forwards and had good game. Injured when tunnelled.	6
6	Bris	Good game in defence starting on Merrett.	7
7	Haw	Crunched in marking clash and forced to leave the field.	3
8	Carl	Given the run around down back. Needs to lift.	4
9		Hamstring.
10		Hamstring.
11		Hamstring.
12	VFL	One of Sandy’s best down back with 18 disposals.	–
13	VFL	Starred down back with 22 touches before being rested.	–
14	WCE	On much bigger McGovern most of the time and had his hands full.	4
15	Rich	Conceded centimetres to resting rucks but kept at it in good style.	6
16	Carl	Disposal into attack let him down.	4
17	NM	Stretched at times by Black, but also won a bit of it himself.	5
18	Frem	Solid job down back	6
19	GCS	Lined up on taller Lynch and had touches but opponent kicked four.	4
20	WB	Began in defence then was thrown into attack in second half and kicked three.	6
21	Syd	Apart from one goal was very quiet in attack. Subbed off at last change.	2
22		Senior emergency.
23	Adel	Lined up on Podsiadly and generally did well in last appearance.	5
QF		–
SF		–
PF		–
GF		–

2013 Season

Played for : St Kilda

1	GCS	Tried hard but outgunned.	4
2		Knee.
3		Knee.
4		Knee.
5		Knee.
6	VFL	OK down back but looked to need the run.	–
7	Carl	Welcome return to the backline. Added penetration until Henderson got him late.	6
8	Adel	Matched up on Lynch and began strongly.	5
9	WB	Played on Williams and his game was a mixed bag.	4
10	NM	Undersized on Petrie and was outpointed.	4
11	WCE	Had to counter much taller opposition but stuck to his task.	6
13	Melb	Took care of underdone Dawes in first half and remained solid down back.	6
14	Rich	Spent most of the day on Riewoldt and stuck to it. Helped by Tiger’s inaccuracy.	4
15	Frem	Battled away in defence despite having to give away a big height advantage.	5
16	Carl	Again forced to play on taller opponents. Must yearn for opponents his size.	6
17	Port	Did the job down back.	6
18	Geel	Injured leg early in second term and subbed. Had been struggling on Hawkins.	1
19		Knee.
20	Haw	Put up hand to play despite knee bone bruising. Beaten by Roughead, subbed off.	3
21		Knee.
22		Knee.
23		Knee.
QF
SF
PF
GF

2012 Season

Played for : St Kilda

4	VFL	Collected 16 disposals in comeback. Looked a bit rusty.	–
5	VFL	Got through another game without incident. Sturdy effort.	–
6	VFL	Got through OK but wasn’t a star. Saints need him back.	–
7	VFL	Solid game in defence. Looks about ready to return.	–
8	VFL	Steady effort down back. Looks ready to return.	–
9	Syd	Welcome return and apart from some rusty moments did well.	5
10	Rich	Suffered from usual second game back struggle.	3
11	GCS	Still finding his way back.	4
12	Adel	Lacking touch in third game back and had a tough night.	3
14	NM	Worked hard against taller North forwards.	5
15	Ess	OK in defence, but was subbed off late.	5
16	Bris	Low key in defence.	5
17	Syd	Looks to have regained his calm and poise under pressure.	7
18	WB	Evenly matched duel with Williams.	5
19	Coll	Conceded inches to tall Magpie forwards, but was still effective.	6
20	Melb	Assured down back.	6
21	Geel	Good back flanker who was in the wrong weight division on Hawkins early.	5
22	GWS	Untroubled deep in defence.	6
23	Carl	Had a big assignment on Waite and lowered his colours.	4