James Thiessen (born 29 May 1974) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the mid‑1990s. He began his senior football career with the Port Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) before being recruited to the AFL.
AFL career
- Richmond Football Club (1994–1996): Thiessen debuted with Richmond in the 1994 season. Over three seasons he played a total of 20 games and scored 6 goals.
- St Kilda Football Club (1997–1999): He transferred to St Kilda, where he added 15 games and 4 goals to his AFL tally. His final AFL appearance came in the 1999 season.
In total, James Thiessen played 35 AFL matches and kicked 10 goals.
Playing style and position Thiessen was primarily utilized as a midfielder/wingman, noted for his endurance and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.
Post‑AFL career Following his AFL tenure, Thiessen returned to South Australian football, re‑joining the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL. He continued to compete at state level through the early 2000s before retiring from senior football.
Legacy While not a high‑profile player, Thiessen is remembered for his persistence in breaking into the AFL and for his contributions to both Richmond and St Kilda during a transitional period for each club.
