James Clement
Encyclopedia
James Clement is a former professional Australian rules football
er for Collingwood
and Fremantle
in the Australian Football League
(AFL). He was selected in the All-Australian Team
on two occasions, represented Australia in the International Rules Series
and was vice-captain of Collingwood.
, the Fremantle Dockers
picked Clement up as a zone selection in the 1995 National Draft
. His major role as a junior was as a half-back/winger, but he was used as a taller type defender throughout his AFL
career. A regular starter since making his debut in 1996, his form slipped at senior level at the start of 1998, being omitted after the first match, but came back into the side as a tall forward option and surprised many, kicking 5 goals in consecutive games. He ended up kicking 27 goals for the season. He moved back to defence in 1999, he showed he was capable of playing as a utility. Only playing 8 games in 2000 and what seemed an unhappy relationship with coach Damian Drum
, Clement was then traded to Collingwood
.
at the end of the season. His strength as a defender, football brain and leadership qualities were shown. He helped the Pies through to a Grand Final and played all 25 games, including the last day in September. 2003 saw Clement miss several games mid-season with a hamstring injury, but he regained form at finals time and the vice-captain saw another Grand Final.
He had much more decorated seasons in 2004 and 2005, including All-Australian honours and the Copeland Trophy
in each of the seasons, as the Pies finished in the bottom 4 in both seasons. He led the side for several matches in 2005 when Nathan Buckley
and Anthony Rocca
were missing from the team due to injury. In 2006, Clement was surprisingly not named in the All-Australian team, and finished equal second in the Copeland Trophy
. In 2007, it was considered possible that Clement would take over the captaincy of the Collingwood side from Nathan Buckley, however he announced his surprise retirement at the end of the 2007 season. Later it was revealed he retired to support his wife Jeanne, who has autoimmune kidney failure.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er for Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL). He was selected in the All-Australian Team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
on two occasions, represented Australia in the International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
and was vice-captain of Collingwood.
Fremantle career
From South FremantleSouth Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
, the Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
picked Clement up as a zone selection in the 1995 National Draft
1995 AFL Draft
The 1995 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1995 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football clubs that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
. His major role as a junior was as a half-back/winger, but he was used as a taller type defender throughout his AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
career. A regular starter since making his debut in 1996, his form slipped at senior level at the start of 1998, being omitted after the first match, but came back into the side as a tall forward option and surprised many, kicking 5 goals in consecutive games. He ended up kicking 27 goals for the season. He moved back to defence in 1999, he showed he was capable of playing as a utility. Only playing 8 games in 2000 and what seemed an unhappy relationship with coach Damian Drum
Damian Drum
Damian Kevin Drum is the Nationals member for Northern Victoria Region in the Victorian parliament, Australia. He is also a former Australian rules footballer and coach, most notably as senior coach of the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League from 1999 to 2001. He turned to...
, Clement was then traded to Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
.
Collingwood career
Clement thrived at Collingwood playing 20 games during 2001, but it was in 2002 that the Pies saw a champion player. During this time, he bulked up substantially. Unlucky not to gain his first All-Australian selection, but played in the International Rules Series in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
at the end of the season. His strength as a defender, football brain and leadership qualities were shown. He helped the Pies through to a Grand Final and played all 25 games, including the last day in September. 2003 saw Clement miss several games mid-season with a hamstring injury, but he regained form at finals time and the vice-captain saw another Grand Final.
He had much more decorated seasons in 2004 and 2005, including All-Australian honours and the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
in each of the seasons, as the Pies finished in the bottom 4 in both seasons. He led the side for several matches in 2005 when Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley
Nathan Charles Buckley is a former professional Australian rules football player, commentator and coach, best known for his time as captain of the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
and Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca
Anthony Rocca is a former Australian rules footballer who has played with the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in the Australian Football League...
were missing from the team due to injury. In 2006, Clement was surprisingly not named in the All-Australian team, and finished equal second in the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
. In 2007, it was considered possible that Clement would take over the captaincy of the Collingwood side from Nathan Buckley, however he announced his surprise retirement at the end of the 2007 season. Later it was revealed he retired to support his wife Jeanne, who has autoimmune kidney failure.