James Harmes

[The Underdog]

I've seen the club website mention defensive minded a bit. It's good that we've identified that as a need but also not a great sign we have confidence in our existing players to knuckle down in that area.

Maybe they’re going to weld him to Bailey Smith and make a 2 way runner.

[Grantysghost]

Mentioned it to an Essendon supporter at work who was disappointed they didn’t get him last year and was pretty positive about it.

That's all you need to know that it's a bad idea!

[Happy Days]

So to recap:

- player who sucks
- horrible tattoos
- unreal rig
- seems like a dickhead

I figured out why I hate this so much. This is Justin Sherman all over again.

[G-Mo77]

So to recap:

- player who sucks
- horrible tattoos
- unreal rig
- seems like a dickhead

I figured out why I hate this so much. This is Justin Sherman all over again.

Haha. I didn't hate him until he arrived and then I realised.

Melbourne have got rid of one of their 2 most punchable faces. Melksham holds that 1st place trophy by a fair margin.

[Doc26]

Haha. I didn't hate him until he arrived and then I realised.

Melbourne have got rid of one of their 2 most punchable faces. Melksham holds that 1st place trophy by a fair margin.

and to think Fritsch didn?t make your list.

I don’t mind Harmes based on insurance and some level of need but should fit more in the Territory of as a delisted free agent.

[G-Mo77]

and to think Fritsch didn?t make your list.

I don’t mind Harmes based on insurance and some level of need but should fit more in the Territory of as a delisted free agent.

Oh dear. How could I forget him.

[jeemak]

I'm not thinking he's going to be magnificent for us, but I'd be interested to know how posters think we're supposed to get depth on our list that has proved capable of playing at the highest level without trading for it.

We desperately need players who can put selection pressure on the players we think haven't contributed consistently. Harmes does that.

[Grantysghost]

I'm not thinking he's going to be magnificent for us, but I'd be interested to know how posters think we're supposed to get depth on our list that has proved capable of playing at the highest level without trading for it.

We desperately need players who can put selection pressure on the players we think haven't contributed consistently. Harmes does that.

For me Jee I'd rather see proven VFL talent get a crack over washed up guys on the retirement plan.

Sullivan for eg would be my preference in this instance. Probably similar skill sets, about the same effectiveness in the VFL (actually Lachie played better when we smashed Casey).

I'm not sure if everyone is seeing the 21 version of Harmes in their minds eye, he's not been that for a while.

I hope he gets it back, however I'm not that confident.

We need depth agree.

[jeemak]

For me Jee I'd rather see proven VFL talent get a crack over washed up guys on the retirement plan.

Sullivan for eg would be my preference in this instance. Probably similar skill sets, about the same effectiveness in the VFL (actually Lachie played better when we smashed Casey).

I'm not sure if everyone is seeing the 21 version of Harmes in their minds eye, he's not been that for a while.

I hope he gets it back, however I'm not that confident.

We need depth agree.

He's a bigger body and taller, we'll find out if he's able to get form back I guess. Sullivan to me is a great VFL player who I don't want to see lining up on the half forward line for us as we try and squeeze him into a role.

[jazzadogs]

He's a bigger body and taller, we'll find out if he's able to get form back I guess. Sullivan to me is a great VFL player who I don't want to see lining up on the half forward line for us as we try and squeeze him into a role.

But isn't that what we'll do with Harmes? His best football was in the midfield and this year wasn't getting picked in that role with Oliver out, and also wasn't getting picked for the half forward role (because I don't think he's very effective at it) behind Neal-Bullen and Chandler.

[Rocket Science]

We desperately need players who can put selection pressure on the players we think haven't contributed consistently. Harmes does that.

It's true, we do, the main wrinkle here though is he wasn't actually doing a whole lot of this at the club he's coming from and managed fewer games this year than all of McNeil, West & Scott respectively, and was completely ghosted come finals.

This bloke's going to light a fire under our comfortable regulars?

He's a modest upgrade on McComb I suppose.

[jeemak]

But isn't that what we'll do with Harmes? His best football was in the midfield and this year wasn't getting picked in that role with Oliver out, and also wasn't getting picked for the half forward role (because I don't think he's very effective at it) behind Neal-Bullen and Chandler.

Likely, and on a wing. Roles he's proved capable of playing in a premiership team.

He's admitted he didn't play well this year, and I'm sure there's reasons for that. He should technically be in his prime so we'll see how it goes.

I reckon Melbourne would have been a shit place to be the last couple of years, let's see how he goes.

[whythelongface]

For me Jee I'd rather see proven VFL talent get a crack over washed up guys on the retirement plan.

Sullivan for eg would be my preference in this instance. Probably similar skill sets, about the same effectiveness in the VFL (actually Lachie played better when we smashed Casey).

I'm not sure if everyone is seeing the 21 version of Harmes in their minds eye, he's not been that for a while.

I hope he gets it back, however I'm not that confident.

We need depth agree.

We tried that with McComb and he is quite dominant at VFL level. Sullivan would probably be similar. At least Harmes has shown ability. Nothing to stop him regaining his ‘21 form. Then bang we have a player who is bottom of our top 22.

[jeemak]

It's true, we do, the main wrinkle here though is he wasn't actually doing a whole lot of this at the club he's coming from and managed fewer games this year than all of McNeil, West & Scott respectively, and was completely ghosted come finals.

This bloke's going to light a fire under our comfortable regulars?

He's a modest upgrade on McComb I suppose.

I get it's all the rage to put shit on everything at the moment, but those keeping him out of Melbourne's side are a bit better than those who played for us. Bringing McComb into the conversation doesn't give any cred, we've let him go and Harmes is well better than he is and it's silly to suggest otherwise.

[soupman]

For me Jee I'd rather see proven VFL talent get a crack over washed up guys on the retirement plan.

Haven't we tried that already?

McComb, Hayes, Gowers, Scott, Poulter and Gardner all came from the VFL system, and aside from the last two solely the VFL system.

"Strong bodied ball winning mid who can play a role forward" describes both Harmes and McComb when we recruited them. Except one has proven he can play at AFL level while the other only had to be named on an extended bench before people started threatening not to go.

We have been "moneyballing" our late picks in the last few years, trying to get low ceiling but sturdy floor types to add depth, except we keep finding out the floor is stuffed. I don't mind the change of mindset to get actual proven AFL role players, even if they are a bit cooked, especially if it means we swing for the fences a bit more with our draft selections and try and find players that could have a point of difference instead of a reliable foot soldier that isn't actually good enough for our best 22.

I do not like Harmes, but I do think when called upon he is going to be serviceable.