Aish will add another chapter to his family's rich footballing history when he joins an AFL club. In fact, he already has after being a member of Norwood's back-to-back SANFL premierships over the past two seasons, the first of which came as a 16-year-old. Aish's uncle, Michael, is a Norwood champion, a 300-game player who won a Magarey Medal. His dad Andrew won a premiership with the club, and his grandfather Peter played there and then coached it.
James plays like a natural footballer, too. The South Australian midfielder was named in the under-18 All Australian team the past two years, and overcame a shoulder reconstruction to play an important role for Norwood towards the end of this season. He is a wingman who runs the ball up and down the ground, sees the game unfold in front of him, and is a likely early pick at the NAB AFL Draft.
STRENGTHS
Aish is composed beyond his experience, and has the footy smarts of all the best players. Beyond those immeasurable qualities are more obvious ones: he can find the ball, take the game on with it, and can use it. At the mid-year under-18 championships Aish had the best kicking efficiency of any player, a strong indicator of his ability to get the ball and make every possession count. Has experience against senior opponents and has worked past getting heavily tagged this year, a tick for his temperament.
There aren't many, considering what Aish has shown over the past few years. He will need to bulk up before he plays consistent top-level footy, because he did lose a chance to build his body when he was recovering from the shoulder surgery. There is also his capacity to win his own disposals. He is best suited as an outside midfielder now, and his championship numbers reflected that (19 contested possessions, 60 uncontested).
PLAYS LIKE
Although not possessing the amazing endurance of Lachie Whitfield, Aish does share some attributes with last year's No.1 pick. Like Whitfield, Aish is best with the ball in hand, able to process the situation quickly and then deliver the ball sharply. Both are clever players who know which way the ball will bounce, where it's going next, and how to make it theirs.
DRAFT RANGE
A top-five pick with a number of AFL qualities. He would be snapped up very quickly if he lasted any longer.
BOTTOM LINE
A good fit for any club looking for a classy, smart and skilful midfielder who never appears rushed. But only a club with a very early pick will be in contention.
The GIANTS will have the following picks in the NAB AFL Draft:
1, 2, 14, 29, 48, 76, 78, 93, 111
