GWILT, James

James Gwilt joined Essendon as an unrestricted free agent in 2014 after a fine 126-game career with St Kilda between 2005 and 2014. On his AFL debut, he was only one of two AFL players to have a Papua New Guinean parent - his mother - his father was Welsh.

He debuted for Essendon in Round 2, 2015, in a win aganist Hawthorn at the MCG. He was to play in only two more wins for the Bombers, against Melbourne in Round 15, and against Melbourne again, in Round 2, the following year. He ended his first season on the injury list, missing the last four games with groin and adductor problems.

Gwilt's second season at Essendon coincided with the Club's extensive player ban due to the so-called supplements saga, and after that Round 2 win, he was to play in 13 consecutive losses. The only time Essendon had won fewer games was in 1933 with only two wins. He missed the last five rounds of that season with a knee injury.

Gwilt was a reliable defender who was flexible enough to go forward when needed. he provided solid leadership, experience and mentoring for the developing younger players during his time at the Bombers.

He was delisted at the end of 2016.