Bendigo Pioneers - James Barrat

A product of the Leitchville-Gunbower Football Club, James Barrat took out the Neville Strauch 2024 Best and Fairest award for the La Trobe University Bendigo Pioneers Football Club.
James a strong-marking player who utilises his high leaping and athletic ability to rapidly emerge as a formidable intercept player, averaging strong marking and intercepting marking numbers.
James was selected for Vic Country and performed strongly at the Under 18 National Championships and also represented Essendon at VFL level late in the season against Sandringham and held his own, recording 10 disposals, five marks and three tackles against Sandringham.
James is a proven dual-position player, having flourished at both ends of the field but it was his mid-season switch to defence where he has announced himself as a strong draft prospect. He is an aggressive player whose ability to read the play and take contested marks along with his versatility are his key strengths.
James possesses the skill set required to make it at the next level sooner rather than later.