Former AFL player Aaron James indicates he will apply for bail after sparking police manhunt

Ex Collingwood and Richmond player Aaron James has indicated he wants to apply for bail in his first court appearance since he sparked a manhunt for his arrest.

Former AFL player Aaron James has indicated he will apply for bail. Picture: Kylie Else

Former AFL player Aaron James wants to be freed on bail again, despite a police manhunt for his arrest after he breached his bail.

James, 48, appeared in Moorabbin Magistrates Court via video link from Frankston police station on Wednesday where he indicated he wanted to apply for bail at a later date.

“I’m going to go for CISP bail,” he told the magistrate, referring to the Court Integrated Services Program in which he would be provided support and referrals for drug and alcohol treatment and crisis accommodation if released.

The court heard he was denied bail and has been in the cells at Frankston police station since his arrest on Monday.

His case was adjourned to June 6 to allow for a CISP suitability assessment to take place.

James in action for Richmond in 1999. Picture: Karen Dodd

The photo of James released by Victoria Police. Picture: Victoria Police

Arrest warrants were issued for James and his mugshot released after police in the state’s north went public in searching for him over his failure to appear in court on serious charges.

Those matters included failing to answer bail, theft and drug offences.

James played for Collingwood, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs after being drafted by the Magpies in 1993.

He retired in 2002 after playing 54 games.

James then became a star in suburban and country competitions around Victoria.

He played in a premiership at Gisborne then booted a century of goals for Doutta Stars in the Essendon District Football League in 2003.

After a move to Lalor, he again topped the ton a year later.

James racked up another 100-plus season at Albion in Melbourne’s west the next season and went on to kick another century of goals for North Bendigo in 2009.

James played for Collingwood, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs.

He played 54 games after being drafted in 1993.

After his AFL career he became astar in suburban and country competitions around Victoria.

James was regarded as a real talent in his AFL days but his time at the top level was marred by injuries and off-field dramas.

Among them were incidents at Melbourne nightspots, which resulted in fines and preceded Collingwood trading him to Richmond.

James then moved to the Western Bulldogs where he played just one game before retiring.

From there, he had considerable success at lower levels.

James played in a premiership at Gisborne then booted a century of goals for Doutta Stars in the Essendon District Football League in 2003.

After a move to Lalor, he again topped the ton a year later.

James racked up another 100-plus season at Albion in Melbourne’s west the next season and went on to kick another century of goals for North Bendigo in 2009.

In 2006, James, who was playing for the Sunbury Kangaroos in the Riddell District Football League when he was suspended for 15 weeks for threatening an umpire.

Then, in 2011 he received an 18-week ban for an altercation with a spectator, AFL Victoria deregistered him, forbidding him from playing on any football field, ending his career.

Originally published as Former AFL player Aaron James indicates he will apply for bail after sparking police manhunt