Country footy: Nilma Darnum’s Luke James kicks 1000th goal

A well-travelled spearhead brought up his 1000th goal on Saturday, sparking a memorable celebration, while another country goal guru moved to 997 career goals.

Luke James after kicking his 1000th goal for Nilma Darnum on Saturday. Pic: Paul Amy

You don’t often see a ground invasion at a country football game.

There was one at Darnum in West Gippsland on Saturday after veteran sharpshooter Luke James brought up his 1000th goal in senior ranks.

James, 39, playing for Nilma Darnum against Poowong, went into the Ellinbank league match on 996 goals and brought up four figures with a typically long and accurate left-foot kick.

A swarm of youngsters dashed onto the field to pat James on the back.

He finished the game with six goals as his Bombers won 16.13 (109) to 10.12 (72).

James has been a well-travelled spearhead for the past 20 years, kicking a century at Kilcunda Bass and piling up big season tallies at other clubs including St Paul’s in the Southern league, Catani in Ellinbank, Murrumbeena in Southern and Mulwala in the Murray league.

Luke James slots another goal for St Paul's in 2013.

James playing for Murrumbeena in 2019. Picture: Chris Eastman

He kicked 119 goals at Kilcunda Bass in 2011, 96 at St Paul’s in 2008 and 97 at Catani in 2009.

This season, James is playing under his old coach Paul Alger; the pair go way back.

James, originally from Yarrawonga, regards Alger as one of his biggest football influences.

“He’s a family friend and I grew up watching him and listening to everything he said,’’ James said after kicking a century in 2011.

Meanwhile, another sharpshooter is poised to notch 1000 goals in country football.

Yea’s Corbin Sutherland took his career goal tally to 997 after slotting four in the Tigers’ 101-point win over Powelltown, 17.25 (127) to 4.2 (26), in Outer East Division 1 on Saturday.

Sutherland has booted hundreds of goals for several clubs, most notably Yarram.

Former Footscray VFL captain Josh Pruden kicked five goals as Yea, back playing this season after a year in recess, banked its second straight win.