Introduction James Polkinghorne is an exciting small forward and midfield prospect who has earned the respect from his team-mates for his fearless approach to each contest. He is an excellent overhead mark for a player of his size and has a booming right capable of reaching the goals from well beyond 50m. Background • The son of former Hawthorn player Robert Polkinghorne and nephew of Hawks star David Polkinghorne – James Polkinghorne came with good football pedigree. • However, the young Victorian briefly flirted with the idea of a volleyball career after spending a number of successful years playing the sport at St Bernard’s College. He made the U15 Victorian schoolboy side but chose to focus on his number one passion – football – when his dual sporting commitments became too demanding. • He applied a number of volleyball skills into his football including leaping and timing his jumps to perfection. • The Strathmore teenager joined the Calder Cannons TAC Cup side and was selected to represent Victoria Metro in the 2007 U18 National Championships where he caught the eye of AFL recruiters with his fearlessness around the packs. • He helped lead the Calder Cannons to the 2007 TAC Cup premiership and later finished Runner-up in the team’s Best & Fairest award. • The Lions were among a number of AFL clubs impressed with the young midfielder’s attributes and ultimately selected him with Pick No.41 in 2007 AFL National Draft. 2008 • Polkinghorne’s tremendous work ethic during his first pre-season program earned him selection in the Lions’ side for their NAB Cup opener against Essendon at Gold Coast Stadium. • Highly regarded by the Lions coaches, the young Victorian spent the opening weeks of the season playing with the Lions Reserves side before he was rewarded with senior selection in Round 6 against Melbourne at the Gabba. • In limited match-time, Polkinghorne collected 10 disposals and showed plenty of his natural ‘grunt’ in the middle. Unfortunately he sustained a knee injury in his debut match which forced him to miss the following week. • He earned a senior recall in Round 12 and played a further three senior matches before spending the remainder of the season in the Lions Reserves side. 2009 • After playing four matches in his debut season, Polkinghorne became a regular member of the Lions' senior side in 2009. • He played 20 consecutive games after earning a senior spot in Round 5 against Geelong at Skilled Stadium and remained an integral part of the Club's first Finals campaign in five years. • Playing predominantly as a lead-up small forward, Polkinghorne kicked 15 goals to finish 4th on the Club's goal-kicking tally behind Jonathan Brown, Daniel Bradshaw and Justin Sherman. He kicked multiple goals six times throughout the season and became a handy weapon in attack. • He was occasionally moved into the middle where his size and aggression proved useful. He collected a career-best 20 disposals against the Western Bulldogs in Round 20 at the Gabba. • Polkinghorne finished 16th in the Club Champion award at season's end and became highly regarded as one of the team's young stars of the future.
2010 • Polkinghorne established himself as a solid part of the Lions’ forward line and also as a midfielder in 2010, with 205 disposals and six goals for the season. • Polkinghorne played his first game for 2010 in round 3 against Port Adelaide, and gathered 21 disposals. • He performed exceptionally in the round 8 clash against Geelong where he collected a career-high 29 disposals, and then against Collingwood in round 10, but was then forced to the sidelines for three games with a quad injury. • He returned in round 14 against Carlton, before being sidelined again in rounds 18 and 19, this time with a corked thigh which he suffered in round 17 against Geelong. • Despite his quad and hamstring injuries, Polkinghorne still managed 15 games in 2010 and has become a regular fixture on the senior side. 2011 • Despite undergoing a hernia operation during the pre-season, Polkinghorne was one of only five Lions players to play in every match throughout the 2011 season. • He played more regularly through the midfield and averaged a career-high 15.9 disposals and kicked 14 goals. • He collected double-figure disposals in every match of 2011, with the exception of the Essendon game in Round 8 at the Gabba when he was concussed early in the first quarter by a crude elbow from Heath Hocking which resulted in a lengthy suspension for the Bombers player. • Polkinghorne was also one of many young players to commit to the Lions' promising future by extsnding his contract with the Club.
James Polkinghornes speaks with Rising Star nominee Jack Redden.Thursday, August 12, 2010 - 7:01PM
James Polkinghornes speaks with fellow 'young gun' Matthew Leuenberger.Sunday, August 01, 2010 - 2:10AM
Lions midfielder James Polkinghorne answers 20 quick questions.Friday, July 09, 2010 - 4:07PM
James Polkinghorne talks about the newest member of the Club's 'scooter squad' and much more. Friday, June 18, 2010 - 3:49PM
Polkinghorne catches up with BanfieldFriday, May 21, 2010 - 3:17PM
James Polkinghorne speaks exclusively to BLTV about playing in the senior team, the support of his team mates, what its like to live with Tom Collier and the Lions ping pong competition.Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 5:24PM
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