Ex-Lion hunting for biggest trophy
WHEN James Aish left Brisbane for Melbourne, he didn’t just enter a new city but a whole new world.
The Aish family are South Australian football royalty so he knows a thing or two about profile and expectation.
But nothing he saw as a kid or in his early days in the AFL with the Lions prepared him for life as a Magpie.
And in three years at Collingwood, the spotlight has never shone brighter than grand final week, starting with a media day in which 100 interviews were conducted.
Aish enjoyed the laid-back nature of being a footballer in Brisbane but said the pressure of playing for one of the country’s biggest clubs was worth it for the opportunity to play in front of massive crowds.
“It is certainly different, both have their pros and cons,’’ he said.
“I really enjoyed my time at Brisbane and I’ve been keeping an eye on them and I think they are heading in the right direction.
“The pressure and expectation at Collingwood is another level, but you come to appreciate the big games and you feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play in the big games we get here.
“But obviously there’s been nothing like this weekend. ’’
The midfielder, taken by Brisbane with pick seven in the 2013 draft, is one of four former Lions who will do battle in tomorrow’s grand final.
Teammate Jack Crisp is a mainstay for the Pies, while Elliot Yeo is West Coast’s reigning club champion and fellow Eagle Jack Redden is playing his best football.
Aish was in career-best form at the start of this season before he injured his posterior cruciate ligament in Round 6.
He said although each week while he was sidelined the Pies looked more and more like genuine flag contenders, he didn’t fear he would miss out.
“It was probably the best batch of games I have played, the most consistent I have been and I was a bit unlucky to get injured,’’ he said. “I missed 13 AFL games but I was pretty fortunate that I had enough time to get back into the team.”