BIO

In 1991, Roger James played 11 games for the Norwood Under 17 premiership team. He added another 15 matches the following season and then progressed to the Uunder 19's (11 games) and Reserves (four games) in 1993. 1994 saw him win the Under 19 best and fairest award with just 12 appearances in that grade; he also played 11 games for the Reserves.
 
James made his league debut in 1995. In an impressive start to his senior career he played every game (25) for the season, was named Best First Year Player, and received a Meritorious Performance award. Unfortunately, 1996 was hampered by a broken collarbone which restricted him to nine league games and eight for the Reserves.
 
1997 proved to be an eventful year for James. Not only did he make a successful AFL debut for Port Adelaide in its inaugural season, but the tough and talented midfielder/forward also played in a premiership for Norwood. His few appearances for the Redlegs during the season had made him eligible to play in the SANFL finals. Roger joined his older brother Brett (234 NFC games) and together they helped Norwood demolish the Port Adelaide Magpies in the 1997 Grand Final.
 
Roger played 16 games for the Redlegs in 1998 and reached the 50 game milestone.
 
In 1999 he was runner-up in the Norwood best and fairest award (15 games). Highly skilled on both sides of his body, James saved his best for the big games.
 
Injuries and AFL duties restricted James to a handful of SANFL appearances for the remainder of his career and a debilitating knee injury brought James' SANFL/AFL career to a premature end in 2005.
 
He played 147 AFL games for Port Adelaide, and was an important member of their first premiership in 2004.
 
James returned to the Kersbrook Football Club (Hills Football League) to play with his brothers and won flags in 2008 and 2009. He later took over the reins at the Barossa District Football Club (Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association) and as a playing-coach (2010-2015) won premierships in 2012 and 2013. He later also coached Eudunda Robertstown Football Club (North Eastern Football League).
 
Younger brother Paul (54 NFC games) also represented the Redlegs at league level.
 
In 2016, Roger Graham James was inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame

R Cialini Dec 2018