Blackjack\’s Blog

Sherman (blond hair) on tour in Samoa with Australian Schoolboys.

James Sherman is about to play in his first Victorian Premier League Grand Final this coming weekend with his side Whittlesea Zebras (he can’t get those black and white stripes off his back). Whittlesea’s opponent will be the skillful and determined Melbourne Knights (the former team of Socceroo Mark Viduka) and if you review the results over the season Whittlesea are in with a red hot chance.

Sherman has done well since leaving Tasmania and has now created a little niche for himself in arguably the toughest league in the country.

This interview was done over two weeks ago (I’ve been waiting for a few pictures which the little bugger hasn’t sent me) when Whittlesea were about to take on Matthew Sanders Green Gully. Whittlesea duly won that match 2-1 and then went on to play minor premiers Preston Lions (watch tonight’s Premier League show on Aurora) in the semi final. The Zebras managed to defeat Preston 2-1 with Sherman laying on the winning goal to win their way into the grand final. Read that story HERE

I am sure all Blackjack bloggers will wish James the best of luck for the grand final.

Sherman (blonde hair) with the Australian Schoolboys in Samoa this year

BJ - G’day James, welcome the Blackjack Blog and thanks for your time. You are beginning to carve a name for yourself in the beautiful game can you just give us a bit of a run down on what is happening right now for James Sherman?

Right now I’m looking forward to my first final match in victoria this Sunday against Matty Sander’s Green Gully.

BJ - What’s your first footballing (soccer) memory??

Scoring 10 goals in my first ever game U/7. We won 11 nil

BJ - Which was your first team or club you played with?

On a reasonable competitive level in was Geilston Bay Primary School on the eastern shore.

BJ - What position did you enjoy playing at this time?

I was either a striker or a central midfielder.

BJ - Who was the biggest influence on your game and the love of the sport in these early years?

My mum and younger brother Tom.

BJ - Did you model your game on and one in particular?

Not too much, pretty much for me it was about getting as much of the ball as possible and scoring or setting some one up.

BJ - Did you have an idol or a hero?

No

BJ - Can you list your representative achievements?

U11,12 Eastern Region (capt.)

U13,14 Souther Tasmania (capt.)

U15,16,19 Tasmanian State

U19 Victorian schoolboys

U19 Australian schoolboys

BJ - were there any players from your rep days that could have been good senior players but went elsewhere (footy, gave it away, injured, etc.)?

Nathan Mills, had a great left foot, a really strong player as a junior, think he took up footy.

BJ - Can you recall any of the coaches that you believe helped to make you the player you are today?

Dirk Gadd, David Abela, I can remember learning things from them at an age where you don’t really realise how valuable the information given to you was, but now its helping me develop.

BJ - Which schools did you attend??

St.Virgils, year 7-10 and Williamstown High 11-current.

BJ - Where you a good, average or poor student??

I’m still a student and cant see myself moving from poor.

BJ - Who was your favourite teacher and which subject?

I’ve got a couple favourites now at Williamstown that are heavily involved with football over here, they have been extremely helpful to me.

BJ - What were/are your dreams as a footballer?

At the moment its mainly to beat Green Gully on Sunday, I’d love to make a career out of the sport, both as a player and a coach/manager

BJ - As you matured and were getting close to senior football, who were the people who were helping you to achieve your dreams??

I often asked people like Romeo Frediani or Brett Pullen for advice.

BJ - When did you make your senior team (1st grade) debut??

Tilford Zebras under Franco Previdi.

BJ - Do you remember which team you played in that debut match, and who was your direct opponent?

I think it might have been the Glenorchy Knights, came off the bench, but my first full team debut was with Michael Edwards against Sth Hobart.

BJ - Describe your first senior goal?

It was against Sth Hobart that very game, took a penalty to level the game 1 all. I think that’s how it finished.

BJ - How do you motivate yourself to play well?

I don’t need much motivation, I can get pretty dirty if I feel I’ve played poorly, big games are a must perform.

BJ - Do you have any pre-match routines or suspicions?

I normally put the right shinpad on first, NEVER EVER eat pancakes before a match, if I’ve eaten something the night before and then play well i feel like I’ve got to repeat that same meal.

BJ - Who is the toughest player you have played against here in Tassie?

It was a Lacka Cup match we were playing Launceston City and the had a bald pommy feller hard as nails look like he’d just been in a fight, he was the toughest.

BJ - Who do you admire in the game here?

Fredi. I haven seen many games this year. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Aurora channel highlights it was brilliant to see him playing again for the first team.

BJ - You went to Brunswick City for a season in 2005 correct? How did you get to Brunswick?

I went there in 2006. I approached the club went for trial in 2005 in January and then the coach came to watch me play against the VIS over there later that year and asked me to sign.

BJ - How did that go? Can you tell us a bit about your time at Brunswick?

I ended up moving in with the assistant coach Lachlan Armstrong and his family/ Lachy played in Europe at an early age and has been probably one of the most influential persons in my life. I consider him one of my best friends.

BJ - You were still at school when you went over to Victoria, how did you juggle school, training, etc. and what were your living arrangements at this time

I left after I finished yr 10 in Tas and continued year 11 in 06 and completing yr 12 this year, it was important for me that Brunswick find me a school and a place to live being 16 at the time my mum especially found that important. I’m not the perfect role model student so I cant really give any study advice. It was easy to get to training i lived 5 minutes away from the ground.

BJ - This year you transferred to Whittlesea Zebras correct? How did that happen?

Lachy set me up with the trial. I went down for pre season in early November went to Indonesia in December as a ‘guest player’ with the club to play in a tournament, came back and in early Feb, signed with the club after 1 more trial match.

BJ - How is the money (match payments) in the Vic Premier compared to Vic Div.1??

I cant really compare leagues, but club wise its a massive difference, that’s not to say Brunswick were unfair to me they just aren’t in the financial position of Whittlesea.

BJ - Next year…staying at Whittlesea or have you been approached to go elsewhere??

I have signed for 2 years.

BJ - Was Victoria the only option outside Tassie or did you consider making any approaches in other states?

Really I only had the contact in victoria, that being at Brunswick.

BJ - Do you contribute to the game in any other way besides playing?

Just a willing spectator at the moment.

BJ - What are your living circumstances these days?

Renting with a team mate and two other lads. It’s fantastic. I love it.

BJ - How’s the love life?

Single at the moment.

BJ - you finish school this year right?? What are the plans after you finish??

I’d like to try my hand at some Massage or Myotherapy courses. Step up the training to set myself for a stronger year in 08.

BJ - who’s your best mate?

Lachy Armstrong

BJ - What are your career goals?

To beat Gully on Sunday

BJ - Do you cook and if so what is your favourite thing to cook?

Yes I cook. I love cooking Burritos.

BJ - Is diet important to you and your training regime?

Yes very important, i like to keep in strict and eat the right things.

BJ - What’s your biggest downfall in terms of food or drink, the things you eat/drink that perhaps your shouldn’t?

I do like a Tim Tam.

BJ - What was the first or biggest difference you noticed between the standard in Victoria compared to that in Tassie?

Physical presence, technical ability and understanding of the game.

BJ - What is the training schedule at Whittlesea?

3-4 a week, always a session the day before a game, generally that is a Saturday morning.

BJ - Do you have a (paying) job?

Just for Whittlesea

BJ - Can you describe your routine for match day? What do you do to prepare for the match? (food, mental preparation, etc.)

Definitely don’t touch pancakes, some toast and a salad role a little bit before I leave. I get there early enough to see the reserves warm up.

BJ - What do you want to achieve at Whittlesea Zebras??

I think we are in a fantastic opportunity to win the finals this year, we have gone under the radar for quite some time and have gathered some momentum going into Sunday.

BJ - In your opinion which Tasmanian players could make it in Victoria?

Tom Roach is someone that could be up there. I helped Chris (Sanita) out a bit when he came over here to Brunswick.

BJ - Do you see any of the other Tassie boys that are over here (in Victoria), eg. Sanders, Harbinson, Sanita, etc?

I see Sanders and Sanita a bit.

BJ - you’d be a little bit pleased to see your old team (Hobart Zebras) take out the three titles this year (preseason, premiership and State Championship)?

Yeah it was pleasing even more so to see clubmen such as Fredi and Falz go out with a win, I’m sure the road trip back from Somerset would have been interesting. It was also brilliant to have Chippa at the club and to be so successful in a debut year is quite remarkable.

BJ - any message you would like to sent your old team mates at Zebras??

I’m sure they’ve heard it enough but congratulations on such an fantastic year.

BJ - What’s your opinion on the development programmes that are now available through FFT?

To be honest I can’t comment I haven’t been able to keep up to date.

BJ - are full time squads the best option for development or should players be allowed to play at club level too?

That’s a tough question, full time squads are beneficial to the team as a whole, but training with the older senior players was a help as well. Both definitely have their pluses.

BJ - Our U/14 & 15 State Squads are about to head off for Nationals, you’ve been there, what advise would you give them?

Play to your strengths, don’t be intimidated by other teams or players, get a good first touch and play with heart.

BJ - what could we do better to create better players here is Tasmania?

I’m not sure on one specific answer to that, more touches of the ball at a younger age helps.

BJ - And what could we just do better generally to make the game the best we can here?

Facility wise at the moment from memory I’d say Tasmanian isn’t far away from being the best, some of the pitches over here are terrible. As for the refs I’m sure they mean well.

BJ - Do you think Tassie should aim for a return to State League or apply to put a team in the V-League?

I think a V-league side would be good, If it works it works if it doesn’t then you learn from it. What ever happens it cant be a half hearted attempt its got to be 100%.

BJ - Should a Tassie V-League team be a state team or a city based team?

State based, but have a HQ or Home facility to work out of.

BJ - If Tassie got a team in the V-League or even the A-League, would James Sherman consider turning out for them regardless of where you were playing at the time?

That depends if it were A-league definitely, but V-league, no. I enjoy Melbourne for more than its football.

BJ - Do you have any aspiration of staying in the game after retiring as a player?

Preferably as a manager of assistant, even as a masseur. If i cant play at the highest level, i want to be involved in some shape of form.

BJ - Would you do anything differently in terms of your football here in Tassie if you had your time over again?

Work harder before national titles I took it for granted, but I’m a firm believer in things happen for a reason and I’ve learned my lesson from those experiences.

BJ - What do you think of Tassie being included in Aurora TV’s (AUSTAR) Australian Premier League Show? Do you watch any of the games?

It’s a brilliant step forward for Tasmanian Football and those who have pushed the cart forward need to be commended for their efforts.

Ok here is the unabashed self promotion bit:

BJ - How did you hear about the Blackjack Blog?

Through my mum

BJ - What do you think of it?

I thought it was great, I can keep in touch. BJ does set things straight.

BJ - Do you have a favorite part of the blog?

No.

BJ - Anything you’d like to see added to the blog?

Nothing i can think of.

Twenty Questions………..
1. CD or MP3 album/compilation in your car (or home) player at this moment?

Andrea Boccelli

2. Book or magazine on the bedside table?

Raymond Carver

3. Got any tattoos or piercings??

Negative…you hear that mum!!

4. What sort of car are you driving?

HAHA I wish I had a car.

5. What & where did you eat last time you went out to dinner?

Lil Kitch, Puckle Street…lads the girls are quality!! Sorry, no offence female bloggers. (I wonder what he ate though)

6. Best match you have ever seen live?

I played in one, 30,000 Indonesian fans all wearing orange (home) colours, flares going off chanting for 90 minutes, lost 3-2, and Victory v Adelaide Utd, where Robinson scored the winner in the dying minutes to book a TD home final.

7. Favourite TV show?

WWE

8. Best piece of advise you have every been given & who gave you that advise?

The biggest risk in life is to never take a risk, someone said it.

9. Favourite nightclub to go clubbing??

CQ and Anglers

10. What pets do you have? (names?) If you don’t have a pet, what pet would you like to have?

None, I’m fine just looking after myself thanks

11. The thing you hate doing more than anything else?

Warm ups. Got to be done.

12. Last DVD or movie you watched?

HOOK

13. What can’t you live without?

Blackjacks blog, there’s a plug mate. (cheque’s in the mail)

14. What brand of football boots do you wear? Why?

Adidas absolute, and only Adidas

15. Best football player in the world?

Kaka

16. What musical instrument would you LIKE to be able to play?

Piano

17. Favourite destination you have visited for a holiday?

Spain/Holland

18. Would you prefer to take a girlfriend to a candlelit dinner or to a game?

GAME

19. What band or singer can’t you tolerate?

Anthony Callea

20. What did you get your Mum for last Mothers’ Day??

hahaha mum and i had an argument about this, it was a card!

BJ - anything to add James??

Thanks for the interview, I hope I didn’t offend anyone.

James, on behalf on the Blackjack Blog I want to thank you for your valuable time and I would like to wish you all the best for your future both in the game and personally.

Blackjack