Port Adelaide premiership midfielder Roger James to coach Freeling in 2021 BLG League

A tough Port Adelaide premiership midfielder will make a return to senior coaching in the country in 2021 after three seasons away from a top job.

Former Port Adelaide midfielder Roger James in action during his AFL career. James will coach Freeling in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association this year. Picture: News Corp

He was forced to wait one more year than expected but Port Adelaide premiership player Roger James has returned to senior coaching.

The former midfielder will mentor Freeling’s A grade side in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football League this season.

James, 45, was all set to coach the Redlegs last year after being an assistant to Scott Dutschke in 2019.

But Freeling opted out of fielding a team in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the demands all the restrictions would place on volunteers.

New senior coach at Freeling Football Club and former Port Adelaide AFL midfielder Roger James. Picture: Supplied, Freeling Football Club

James, who played an integral part in the Power’s 2004 AFL grand final win, stepped away from senior coaching in 2018 after leading Barossa District to back-to-back flags (2012-13).

But said he missed the game and was easily convinced into making a coaching comeback.

“I had been in football since I was five years old, then I had that year off but then I ran into Dominic Shepley (Freeling footy director) at the Freeling Pub and he asked if I was keen to get back into it,” James said.

“That sparked me, so I got back into it.

“I’ve been at Freeling for a couple of years now but this year will be my first year of actual coaching.

“I thoroughly enjoy it out there, it’s a great bunch of people out there and I am just excited.

“The feeling is pretty good, there’s a good buzz out there.”

James, who played 147 AFL games with Port before retiring in 2005, spent six years coaching Barossa District’s a A grade side, then moved to mentor the newly-formed Eudunda-Robertstown in the North Eastern Football League before taking a year off to spend more time with his family.

Roger James (R) with Byron Picket (C) and Stuart Dew (L) after winning the AFL premiership in 2004. Picture: Joe Castro

The SA Football Hall of Famer, who also won a flag with Norwood in 1997, was looking forward to caching against his old side in Barossa District.

“It’s just another team in the comp, Freeling is my team now,” James said.

“It won’t mean to much now.”

James said the club was hoping to lure at least one ex-SANFL player to the club during pre-season but remained tight-lipped on the name.

James joins other high-profile coaches in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association, including Willaston — Andrew Jarman (Norwood, North, Crows); Kapunda — Fraser Evans (Sturt); Nuriootpa — Kyle Jenner (Central District); Tanunda — Sam Colquhoun (Port Adelaide, Sturt) and South Gawler — Gavin Chaplin (Central District.

The Barossa, Light and Gawler 2021 fixture is yet to be released.