In recent years there’s been something strange about the seventh pick in the AFL National Draft.
Between 2006 and 2008 each player selected with pick seven went on to win the Rising Star Award the following year. First it was Joel Selwood, then Rhys Palmer and finally Daniel Rich. The two ‘number sevens’ before that group have turned into pretty decent footballers too – Paddy Ryder and Jordan Lewis. More recently, youngsters Ollie Wines and Josh Caddy have looked the goods.
Aside from Ryder, they’ve all developed into strong-bodied, combative midfielders.
Though the latest pick seven, Brisbane’s James Aish, isn’t yet as physically developed as those listed above, the early signs are certainly promising.
The 184cm midfielder collected 19 disposals in Brisbane’s 47-point win against Gold Coast on Sunday, and even showed glimpses of his talent in the Lions’ shocking 131-point loss to Hawthorn a week earlier.
Perhaps most pleasingly for Brisbane supporters, it appears Aish will be given plenty of opportunities to develop as a midfielder this season. While many first-year players are eased into AFL, starting as flankers rather than on-ballers, Aish has spent his first pre-season training with the midfield group.
“Dan Rich and Brent Moloney have been a huge help”, Aish told aflplayers.com.au last month.
“They’ve been really good. We’ve been working off each other and they’ve been giving me little tips and hints; just sort-of body positioning and stoppage-work – that sort of thing.”
It’s been good fun, but it certainly hasn’t been easy.
“The toughest part has been physically backing it up every day,” Aish said.
“There are a lot of mornings when you wake up pretty sore from the previous day’s work. But you just have to get through each day and maintain a high standard.”
As challenging as it’s been from a physical perspective, Aish said new coach Justin Leppitsch had found a way to ensure everything the Lions did during their pre-season assisted in learning his new game-plan.
Aish said Leppitsch had “been really good – really organised with his game-plan. He’s brought that in to training really well and we’re implementing it every drill. Every drill has a purpose, which is great.”
The new game-plan initially took some getting used to, but now Aish is looking forward to implementing it.
“I’m probably a little bit naïve, because I didn’t see as much of Brisbane as other teams last year, but I think it should be a pretty exciting style of game-plan,” he said.
“Hopefully we play pretty good, attacking footy, but also a pretty strong, defensively-minded style as well.”
From a personal standpoint, as well as a strategic one, Aish says Leppitsch is a great coach.
“He’s also just really friendly, and communicates really well with all the boys. It just makes it easy to walk around the club.”
Aish’s teammates have also been very welcoming. Since moving across from South Australia, he’s moved in with Daniel Rich and Rohan Bewick.
“I’m learning off them – eating habits and just how to get the best out of myself.”
