Williamstown Football Club - The Ron James Story

This is the story how Ron James started his senior career at the age of just 14, when Williamstown coach Terry Wheeler picked him for the 1985 VFA Grand Final, despite having spent the entire season in the Under-19s. The club lost the match by six points but Ronnie was a member of the 1986 premiership team. Affectionately known as Ronnie, he joined Footscray in 1987 and worked hard to establish a place for himself in the team, managing 16 games in three seasons. He kicked a goal on debut in a loss to Carlton. A rover, Ronnie received his only Brownlow Medal vote for his 17 disposals in a win over the Brisbane Bears at Western Oval in 1988. At the age of 19, Ronnie tragically died in a water skiing accident near Echuca on New Year’s Day 1990. Terry Wheeler, his former coach at Williamstown, had joined Footscray for the 1990 AFL season and was later quoted as saying James could have been a 150 or 200 game player. Ronnie was deeply loved. He was an amazing young man who touched many people. He will be forever remembered at Williamstown. Football Club.