Edwin Ernest 'Eddy' James (14 February 1874 – 16 September 1937)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong in the years before and following the formation of the VFL.
[2] James started his career as a backman, playing a game at 15 after Geelong were short for players.
He moved to the forward line in his return in 1892, and in 1895 finished with 24 goals to be equal third in the VFA goalkicking.
In the inaugural VFL season in 1897, he kicked 22 goals in the home-and-away season to share the Leading Goalkicker Award with Jack Leith; incidentally, this is the lowest number of goals to have ever earned this award, and will likely hold this record in perpetuity due to the high-scoring nature of the modern game.
[3] He again topped the VFL's goalkicking in 1899 with 31 goals, and he was rewarded with selection for Victoria in an interstate match against South Australia.