James Strauss (No.47)

Career
Debut: 2010
Career matches: 11
Career goals: 0
 
2011
Matches: 9
Goals: 0
Kicks: 67
Marks: 18
Handballs: 49
Disposals: 116
Tackles: 26

Todd Viney’s season assessment
James was exciting. He played a bit of senior footy as a rebounding defender. He’s a very good kick and showed some good signs. His offensive and defensive mix improved and he showed he will be a good player. Unfortunately, James broke his leg, which was really disappointing, but already he is showing good signs in his recovery.

Round-by-round assessment
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell

AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans (emergency)

VFL: Round 1 v Geelong
Straussy was good. He was an emergency for round one and didn’t play last week. So James was a little bit rusty, but still did a good job. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 3 v Brisbane Lions (emergency)/VFL: Round 2 v Port Melbourne
Straussy was solid defensively. We expected a bit more out of him from a possession rate. His kicking wasn’t as strong as what it could have been, but he was still OK. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 4 v Gold Coast Suns/VFL: Round 3 v North Ballarat
James played one of his better games for us. He had 26 possessions off half-back flank. He set us up numerously and used the ball well. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 4 - Bye

VFL: Round 5 v Frankston
Injured: kidney
 
VFL: Round 6 v Northern Bullants  
Injured: kidney

VFL: Round 7 v Bendigo Bombers
Straussy had a bit of the ball. There were just a few one-on-one things he would’ve been a little bit disappointed with. But he continually worked on those areas. So to come back after a knock from a couple of weeks ago, his confidence was a little bit up-and-down. But he still had 17 possessions and used the ball well. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 8 - Bye

VFL: Round 9 v Williamstown
Straussy kicked the ball as well as I’d seen him. He gave a lot of run from half-back and had more than 20 possessions. Straussy worked really hard, but at times got caught out defensively. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 11 v Essendon
It was great to see James win his position. He had 20 disposals at 85 per cent effectiveness and competed well one-on-one. He rebounded well off half-back, which we needed, so he could use the ball to the team’s advantage. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 12 v Collingwood
Straussy had a solid game. He had 21 disposals and nine handball receives. He kicked the ball well and maintained his defensive focus for four quarters. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 13 v Fremantle
James had a really positive match. His defensive game was again solid. He started to build in confidence, and take the right options, instead of safe options with his kicks. He needed to do this to advance his game. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 14 v Richmond
Straussy continued his good form in defence. He won some really good one-on-one contests, and kicked the ball very well under pressure. He continued to build good form and confidence. He started to see himself as an AFL footballer. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 15 v Western Bulldogs
James had a solid game. He won the ball very well one-on-one, and provided great rebound from half-back. He continued to build his confidence and gain more experience. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 16 - Bye
 
AFL: Round 17 v Port Adelaide
This was a quiet game for James, considering his previous few matches. He fumbled a bit in the conditions and didn’t win as much of the ball as he had done in previous games. He still gained valuable experience from this match. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 18 v Hawthorn
Straussy’s physicality continued to improve. His form was solid. He kicked in really well from full-back, and started to pull the trigger on options, which he didn’t in earlier games. That was a real plus for us. The defensive side of his game was good, and he continued to work on his ball-handling and offensive side of his game. Mark Williams  

AFL: Round 19 v Geelong Cats
Straussy was pretty good. He only had one or two goals kicked on him. But when we had the ball, we were under pressure the whole time, so his defensive game lacked. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 20 v Carlton (emergency)
Horrifically injured early in the game. James’s season came to an abrupt end when he suffered broken bones in his lower leg. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles
Injured: broken leg

AFL: Round 22 v Richmond
Injured: broken leg
 
AFL: Round 23 v Gold Coast Suns
Injured: broken leg
 
AFL: Round 24 v Port Adelaide
Injured: broken leg