Career
He transferred to Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for the 1981 season, but didn"t receive clearance to play until round 12. After an attempt to convert to gridiron in 1974, plus run of poor form and stints in the reserves, he left Melbourne after the 1975 season. Known as Diamond Jim due to the significant transfer fee from Sturt to Melbourne at the time, he was affectionately called Topaz Tilly by Lou Richards.