Fremantle Cockburn's McPherson hits 300-match mark

Known as a consistent workhorse for the last 15 years, Fremantle Cockburn Hockey Club first grade legend James McPherson is set to play his 300^th game for the Magpies this weekend.

The 33-year-old has had a decorated career with the men in black and white since his debut in 2008, playing in a grand final, winning a best and fairest, and captaining the side over his 15-year career.

In a full circle moment, the man known as Jimmy is set to play his 300^th game against WASPs on Saturday, the same team he debuted against as a 19-year-old.

The 33-year-old said he was proud of himself for hitting the milestone, but also lucky to not have any real injury worries throughout his career.

He added having a new facility to train and play at in Cockburn had been a carrot dangling in front of him to keep turning up.

“I am proud of myself, but I am also lucky that my body has been injury free,” he said.

“The new Cockburn facility really helps, I definitely don’t miss the 9:30pm to 10:30pm training sessions at Perth Hockey Stadium in the middle of July.

“Having the grass fields to run on rather than a strip of grass next to the road is nice, and I am certainly lucky to have stayed around long enough to experience a home ground.”

As for the drive to continue to show up and try and improve his skills, McPherson said it was now about paying it forward to the stars of the future like people once did for him.

“The thing that keeps you motivated is winning and chasing team success, but also sticking around to help young guys coming through,” he said.

“I was really lucky to have played with some very talented hockey players over my 300 games, so to pass on some of the knowledge I have gathered is really important as well.”

In 2012, he was honoured by the club with the Jack Rickie Trophy for the fairest and best player in first grade, sharing the award with good friend and former Olympian Simon Orchard.

McPherson won the award off the back of two seasons with Alderley Edge Hockey Club in England, and said it was a surprise to hear his name called.

“The best and fairest was a massive surprise, and I don’t think I have gone anywhere near it since,” he joked.

“Playing a couple of years overseas and stringing together two years of hockey back to back helped.

“I was really proud that I was able to win it and share it with a really good mate in Simon Orchard.

“It stands out as a personal highlight because of the calibre of people in that team I beat.”

In just his first season, McPherson and the Fremantle first grade side made the Premier League grand final.

Despite going down to Victoria Park 1-0 in the match, the veteran said it was the highlight of his career.

“Despite the result in 2008, it is singlehandedly my greatest experience at Fremantle Hockey Club,” he said.

“To see what it meant to the past players, life members and to experience the difference of finals hockey was special.

“To turn up on grand final day and be playing, with the hill full of Fremantle people was awesome.

“Even though the result did not go our way, the bar that night at Stevens Reserve was full of people who were really proud of the group.”

The ultra-modest McPherson also captained the Magpies top side for a stretch between 2013 and 2019, another honour he said he did not deserve.

“Similar to the best and fairest it is not why you want to be a part of the team, but I was really humbled and really grateful that people in the team decided I was the person to lead them for seven years,” he said.

“I learnt a lot as a team mate and a person in that period, and being able to captain the team to two consecutive finals series and forge different relationships within the group was something I am really proud of.”

Off the field, McPherson also contributed to the sport by coaching many current Premier League players in the PSA competition, where he coach Trinity College First XI and Aquinas College First XI, and in Hockey WA Under 15 boys’ teams.

The club stalwart will run out for his 300th first grade appearance 3:30pm at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Saturday, May 21.

By Luke MCPHERSON