Welcome to the Western Bulldogs- James Harmes

[Grantysghost]

I'm really interested in how we might best utilise Harmes in our line-up. I get he's an upgrade on some of the more marginally talented players we've had on the list but finding out why we were keen to bring him in is what I'm hoping to hear about.

Footscray need a tough defensive tough guy with tatts and toughness and defensive muscles?

[Bulldog4life]

Melbourne on Tuesday traded James Harmes to the Western Bulldogs on a three-year deal, picking up a future third-round selection (tied to the Dogs) in exchange. – Callum Twomey

[Bulldog4life]

Footscray need a tough defensive tough guy with tatts and toughness and defensive muscles?

You need a spanking.

[DOG GOD]

Melbourne on Tuesday traded James Harmes to the Western Bulldogs on a three-year deal, picking up a future third-round selection (tied to the Dogs) in exchange. – Callum Twomey

Well I guess we lost Hannan so just replaced him with Harmes.

[angelopetraglia]

"James Harmes has signed a three-year deal with the Western Bulldogs through to the end of 2026. Had one year remaining with Melbourne."


Callum Twomey

[hujsh]

Is that one from the Trade Preacher or has it been mentioned elsewhere?

It's a huge deal if true.

Just a rumor. The rational is he's meant to be on 500k with his current contract and has agreed to spread some of that over a couple years. So instead of (purely making these numbers up as an example) 500k+300 it becomes 350+350+350.

Again all rumor and the numbers I just used as an example are completely made up aside from the 500k

[hujsh]

"James Harmes has signed a three-year deal with the Western Bulldogs through to the end of 2026. Had one year remaining with Melbourne."


Callum Twomey

Hey look at that 3 was right

[Sedat]

"James Harmes has signed a three-year deal with the Western Bulldogs through to the end of 2026. Had one year remaining with Melbourne."


Callum Twomey

Harmes for 3 years (at 28yo but with a proven history of being an AFL quality player) is a better list management decision than VDM for 3 years (who has never proven to be an AFL quality player, nor who has proven to be durable).

Happy to die on that hill.

[GVGjr]

Melbourne on Tuesday traded James Harmes to the Western Bulldogs on a three-year deal, picking up a future third-round selection (tied to the Dogs) in exchange. – Callum Twomey

You know if his remaining deal with Melbourne was 1 year at 500K and we brought him in for 2 years at 600 or 700k ie it averaged out at 350k I'd be thinking we have done well but 3 years is a bit harder to understand the logic behind it.

[Grantysghost]

You need a spanking.

Hehe. Gold.

I've still got about 30 Harmes hatred posts left so bear with me B4L

[LostDog]

An escalator better than that 3 some

[Scorlibo]

I'm really interested in how we might best utilise Harmes in our line-up. I get he's an upgrade on some of the more marginally talented players we've had on the list but finding out why we were keen to bring him in is what I'm hoping to hear about.

Three potential roles I can see:

Mid-forward rotating into the centre bounces, similar to his role at Melbourne in years gone by.

Tagger/defensive midfielder when required, otherwise playing half-forward.

Wing, putting pressure on the likes of Williams to hold his spot.


The only way to understand the Harmes and Pick 4 trades is that we think we're a red hot chance at the flag next year. We've bought the narrative on having underperformed with a great list. But is the list as strong next year as it looked at the start of 2023? I don't think so.

[GVGjr]

Three potential roles I can see:

Mid-forward rotating into the centre bounces, similar to his role at Melbourne in years gone by.

Tagger/defensive midfielder when required, otherwise playing half-forward.

Wing, putting pressure on the likes of Williams to hold his spot.


The only way to understand the Harmes and Pick 4 trades is that we think we're a red hot chance at the flag next year. We've bought the narrative on having underperformed with a great list. But is the list as strong next year as it looked at the start of 2023? I don't think so.

You've called this right, we can assume Harmes gives us a few options.
Regarding the bigger strategy of the moves and links so far I suspect the club does see itself as being a genuine contender and certainly some of the commentary from the club supports the actions we have been taking.

[G-Mo77]

Haven't see 4 anywhere. 3 years and a trigger for a 4th. Coin would have to be a bit low to buy the security of an extra year

Yep, 3+1 I read earlier today. We'll find out the nuts and bolts of it soon enough.

[Grantysghost]

Three potential roles I can see:

Mid-forward rotating into the centre bounces, similar to his role at Melbourne in years gone by.

Tagger/defensive midfielder when required, otherwise playing half-forward.

Wing, putting pressure on the likes of Williams to hold his spot.


The only way to understand the Harmes and Pick 4 trades is that we think we're a red hot chance at the flag next year. We've bought the narrative on having underperformed with a great list. But is the list as strong next year as it looked at the start of 2023? I don't think so.

Yes, that's my concern the gap I see between where the club thinks they are and I think we are.

I can't find any reason to think we are a top 4 side. Any reasonable metric says otherwise.

I personally think Harmes is cooked so I'm not a fan of this move. However I hope to be pleasantly proven wrong.