Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
James Morrissey

Known as
James Morrissey

Nickname
The Freak

Born
4 October 1964 (age 59)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 312d
Last game: 28y 321d

Height and weight
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 90 kg

Senior clubs
Hawthorn

Jumper numbers
Hawthorn: 35

Family links
Gordon Morrissey (Grandfather)

James Morrissey

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
HawthornV/AFL1984, 1987-19931061000.9475%8.795.492.706
Total1984, 1987-19931061000.9475%8.795.492.706

AFL: 9,555th player to appear, 2,269th most games played, 1,074th most goals kickedHawthorn: 698th player to appear, 131st most games played, 63rd most goals kicked

Nicknamed ‘The Freak’ because of his uncanny ability to kick goals from extremely difficult positions James Morrissey made his Hawthorn league debut in 1984, aged nineteen. He played just one game that year and did not again taste senior grade football until 1987. However, it was not until 1988 that he became a regular, first choice senior player. He was a member of the Hawks’ 1988 premiership-winning team and also achieved grand final glory in 1989 and 1991. In the 1991 defeat of West Coast he was one of the best players afield playing in the comparatively unaccustomed position of back pocket, and blanketing his direct opponent Chris Lewis. Most of his football was played on the half forward flank.

The 1992 and 1993 seasons saw Morrissey beset by injury problems and he was de-listed at the end of the latter season. He had played 106 games and kicked 100 goals for the Hawks. He crossed to Collingwood in the hope of resurrecting his career but was unable to shake of his injury woes and did not add to his games tally.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby & Jim Main; Wikipedia article; http://www.hawkheadquarters.com/player.aspx?playerid=699&view=default

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.