15 September 2001
A basic annual expense applies to all 16 AFL clubs. It's not the dry cleaning bill for guernseys and socks or the nugget for boots. The cost of strapping for ankles and hands runs into thousands of dollars a year. A footballer whose name is synonymous with this financial outlay is Jamie Tape.
As a 17 year old Jamie had played 75 quality games with SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens. Richmond drafted Tape with 1992 national pick 28. The Tigers thought so much of their youngster they gave him the illustrious number 5 once worn by Neville Crowe and Rex Hunt and Gareth Andrews and Bruce Lennon. 'Sticky' had no history of serious injury. His main attribute was a work ethic. A classic run with player who could adhere to an opponent yet amass lots of possessions himself. He was 188 centimetres and a solid 89 kilograms. Versatile as drip dry shirt. Could be used in the midfield, up forward, even a key position at a pinch. For all these talents he may have been a stranger to lightning pace.
From his debut in 1994 Tape displayed solid football. Hard as a Russian computer program at the Sherrin. The new yellow sasher cut up like a Victa lawn mower guys such as Brett Chandler and Brett Lovett and Clive Waterhouse. Tape revealed the consistency of a one field umpire system. He was a Norwich Rising Star nominee in 1994. Missed one game that season because of a flu injury. He tied with fellow South Australian Matthew Rogers as best first year player.
Through 1995 Tape was on a roll. Strong as araldite. In waterlogged round 3 against Hawthorn at Waverley the glue guy kept the dangerous Shayne Stevenson all wrapped up like a Christo art work. Jamie's timing with hand and foot kept the Hawks at bay. At a critical stage halfway through the last quarter Tape smothered a Minton-Connell shot on goal. It won the game for the Tigers. 4.16 to 5.4.
The following week the Kangaroos at the MCG. In a goal guzzler Daffy booted six and Richardson four. In the second and third terms JT took gutsy marks and fired off handpasses one of which resulted in a goal. Tiges again 21.8 to 13.7. Tapey to the fore in round 7 versus the Crows at the G. He stuck to Ricciuto. It was like two warring elephants. 25 minutes into the second the Richmond number 5 put a big tackle on the Crows star who forearmed his way clear and goaled. But James took two telling marks that broke the Adelaide back. Punt Roaders home 10.12 to 9.4. The Tigers roared into the 1995 finals for the first time since 1982.
The second qualifying final against the Roos. A night game. Tape wore Schwass. Took four marks. Accurate foot passes created space through the middle. 'Sticky' was among the Tigers best in a loss. 12.12 to 17.12. The second semi against the Bombers. A bruising affair. O'Donnell and Young both carried off. Jamie stood his ground to mark and save certain goals in the second and third. A courageous sprint and tackle on Mark Mercuri in the hectic last stanza. The yellow and blacks pulled away to win 12.14 to 11.7. The following week the second preliminary against Geelong at the Park. The Richmond tagger put the bear brand on Shayne Breuer. The defender's chasing and harassing were inspiring. But the exhausted Tigers liquidated. 6.4 to 20.9. James later finished fifth in the club best and fairest.
Tape copped a stress fracture of the foot during 1996. Struggled during '97. After 75 games Jamo was involved in a 1997 trade to Collingwood for Aaron James and draft selection 71, Andrew Kellaway. The former Tiger busted his arm in round 8 his third start with the Pies. But he bounced back late in the season to play the last four games. During 1999 he had some ankle problems. Yet selected as an interchange in 6 games. He was released at the end of '99 season. 14 games with the Woods.
Tape returned to Adelaide where at Woodville-West Torrens he is the bond on the backline.