James Clement 3204292 225559058 2008-07-14T08:51:46Z Morstar 4807135 {{otherpeople|James Clement}} {{Infobox afl player NEW |image name= James clement.jpg | playername = James Clement | fullname = James Clement | image = | birthdate = {{Birth date and age|1976|9|4|mf=y}} | birthplace = | originalteam = [[South Fremantle Football Club|South Fremantle]] ([[West Australian Football League|WAFL]]) | draftpick = | heightweight = 190cm / 95kg | position = | dead = alive | deathdate = | deathplace = | currentclub = retired | years = 1996 &ndash; 2000 <br> 2001 &ndash; 2007 <br> '''Total''' | clubs = [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle]] <br> [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] <br> | games(goals) = 84 (38) <br> 144 (13) <br> 228 (51) | coach = notcoach | coachingteams = | statsend = | careerhighlights = * [[Collingwood Magpies|Collingwood]] [[Copeland Trophy|best and fairest]] 2004, 2005 * 2nd [[Collingwood Magpies|Collingwood]] [[Copeland Trophy|best and fairest]] 2006 * 3rd [[Collingwood Magpies|Collingwood]] [[Copeland Trophy|best and fairest]] 2002 * [[All-Australian]] 2004, 2005 * [[International Rules Series]] [[2002 International Rules Series|2002]] }} '''James Clement''' (born [[September 4]], [[1976]]) is a former professional [[Australian rules football]]er. From [[South Fremantle Football Club|South Fremantle]], The [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle Dockers]] picked Clement up as a zone selection in the [[1995 AFL Draft|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 [[Australian Football League|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 Football Club|Collingwood]]. Clement thrived at Collingwood playing 20 handy 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|International Rules Series]] in [[Ireland]] 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 the most notable player not named in the [[All-Australian]] team, and finished equal second in the [[Copeland Trophy]]. In 2007, it was expected that Clement would take over the captaincy of the Collingwood side from Nathan Buckley, however he announced his retirement at the end of the 2007 season. ==Retirement== On Sunday, 23rd September, 2007, Clement rocked both the [[Australian Football League|AFL]] and [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] by announcing his retirement from Football. He will be remembered as a champion defender, and one of the most consumate professionals in the game in the early stages of the 21st Century. <ref>{{cite news | title = Clement stuns Pies by retiring | url = http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22467593-23211,00.html }}</ref> ==Notes== <references/> == External links == *{{Collplayer|ref=13175}} *{{AflRleague|ref=J/James_Clement.html}} {{start box}} {{succession box|title=[[Copeland Trophy]] winner|before=[[Nathan Buckley]]|after=[[Alan Didak]]|years=2004-2005}} {{end box}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Clement, James}} [[Category:Collingwood Football Club players]] [[Category:South Fremantle Football Club players]] [[Category:1976 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Fremantle Football Club players]] [[Category:Copeland Trophy winners]] [[Category:All-Australians]]