Aish was drafted by the
Brisbane Lions with their first selection and 7th overall in the
2013 AFL draft. He went on to play in all but one of the team's 21 senior matches (he was rested from the Lions' Round 14 clash against Fremantle in Perth) and collected 20 or more disposals on nine occasions. Aish ranked 6th at the club in total disposals (370), 4th in marks (94), 5th in tackles (77), and 7th in clearances (43). He finished fourth in the NAB AFL Rising Star award – behind Lions teammate Lewis Taylor who was awarded the
Ron Evans Medal – and finished ninth in his maiden Merrett–Murray Medal count. In October 2015, he was traded to
Collingwood. He was traded to
Fremantle at the conclusion of the
2019 AFL season. Aish's first season at Fremantle was during the
COVID-19 affected
2020 AFL season, which saw only 17 games played instead of 21. Aish finished the season having played all but one game. Although traditionally a midfielder before joining Fremantle, Aish's versatility meant he often spent time rotating between the wing, midfield and defence. Round 16 of the
2022 AFL season saw Aish collect 29 disposals and kick 2 goals during Fremantle's 8-point win over at
Optus Stadium. He collected 29 disposals two weeks later in round three against at Optus Stadium. Aish was one of Fremantle's better players in round four during their game against at
Adelaide Oval, which was played in
Adelaide due to the AFL's
Gather Round. He finished the game with 27 disposals. The match was not without controversy as a kick which was touched by James before being marked by
Matt Cottrell went unseen by the AFL
umpire's, resulting in a crucial Carlton goal in the last two minutes of the game. The poor officiating was subject to both media scrutiny and fan backlash in the days following. Aish announced his retirement at the conclusion of Fremantle's
2025 season. ==Personal life==