james hughes

Played against this guy in the 80s. He was the most sublimely gifted junior footballer. When he had the ball the tendency was to just watch him. The fluid rhythm and sturdy balance. He was the missing link between football and surfing. Just a beautiful athlete. The first time I saw him I was 11. Chased him from the back pocket to the wing and couldn't get close - and I was one of the quickest in my team. Whole game he just ran all over the field giving it off to players in better positions, getting it back again, giving it off again. At 11 he already had an unusually robust shape and serious presence. When I heard he died a couple of weeks back, I pictured him in that game down at Dromana, with the sun in his sandy hair, handling the ball like he was born with it in his hands.