The Western Bulldogs have added a multi-talented athlete to their roster by signing former cricketer James O’Donnell as a Category B Rookie. The 20-year-old has an impressive sporting pedigree, having pursued a career in cricket with the Essendon district team alongside his brother Tom, who is currently part of the Victorian squad.
James O’Donnell’s family has a rich history in VFL/AFL, with his grandfather Kevin and father Simon having played for St Kilda in the 1940s and 1980s, respectively. Simon O’Donnell also had an illustrious cricket career, representing Australia in six test matches and 87 ODI cricket games.
Before committing to cricket, James O’Donnell played junior football for Kew and Xavier College, even sharing the field with Luke Cleary and Will Phillips in the Victorian Under 12 schoolboys football side. However, he hasn’t played a football match since 2019.
Dom Milesi, Bulldogs National Recruiting Manager, expressed his excitement about securing O’Donnell, noting that the club had been keeping tabs on him in case football became an option. Milesi praised O’Donnell’s strong athletic profile, standing at 197cm and weighing 88kg, which will bring versatility to the team.
The Western Bulldogs community is eager to welcome O’Donnell and watch his development in the coming years. As the first alternate athlete signed by the club as a Category B Rookie, he will be an additional player on the playing list. O’Donnell is set to arrive at VU Whitten Oval on Friday, April 7th, ready to embark on this exciting new chapter in his sporting career.
