Dubbed by Justin Longmuir as Fremantle’s Mr Fix It, James Aish is facing a different sort of repair job this week in the hopes of having a new long sleeve jumper for Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.
The versatile midfielder had his jumper torn in a scuffle in the second quarter of Fremantle’s crucial 14-point win against Brisbane on Sunday – Freo’s second win against a top two team in a fortnight.
Moments after his jumper was torn, Aish scored an important goal on the run from 50, but said having a ripped jumper didn’t make the moment any more special.
“The goal wasn’t specifically (extra special) with the torn jumper, but it was nice to kick a goal,” Aish said post game.
“I’ve been missing a lot the last few years. It’s nice to get a goal but it’s better to get the win.
“I think we need to get one made pretty quickly, so we’ll be on to Burley-Sekem. Maybe I’ll get them to stitch it up a little bit, I need to cover up, so I’ll see what they can do!”
He returned after half time with a sleeveless jumper and went on to have 29 disposals, nine marks, seven contested possessions, six inside 50s, seven score involvements and a team-high 566 metres gained.
Aish said he’s relishing doing whatever is required by Longmuir each week.
“Today was pretty much all on the wing, I’m enjoying whatever role happens and some weeks, you end up with a bit more of the ball than others,” Aish said.
“I’m enjoying the different challenges and I just want to help the team out.”
The former Lion and Magpie now has 131 games to his name and feels he is benefitting from the experience.
“It helps having a bit of experience now, it’s my ninth year and that helps a little bit,” Aish said.
“I understand most of the roles and (Longmuir will) get to me early in the week and tell me what I’ll be playing. I feel pretty comfortable with whatever role it is and I get to work and try and help out.
“As long as we keep winning, I’m pretty happy, I’m not too fussed with what happens. I know all the roles really well now so whatever it is, I’m pretty comfortable.”
Aish was thankful for the 47,214 fans in attendance for what was Freo’s third largest non RAC Derby home crowd.
“The crowd was awesome in that last quarter especially, the noise was massive,” Aish said.
“It definitely makes a difference. We want the fans to keep coming and help us next week and in the back end of the year.”
The third placed Freo (9-3) face the 13th placed Hawthorn (4-8) ahead of their bye.
“Hawthorn’s a tough team, they play quite attacking football,” Aish said.
“We want to have a really good finish before the bye and then we can have a little break. We need to get the job done next week.”
