It’s been mentioned in Game Threads but hasn’t had its own discussion. 

Melbourne to move midfielder James Harmes into a new role

 Melbourne midfielder James Harmes is set to move into a rebounding half-back role in one of coach Simon Goodwin’s tactical changes for the new season.

Not sure I understand this one. His standout games have all been when he is led to the ball.  I just feel we have other options to try in this rebounding HB role. Would prefer him in a more regular midfield rotation - taking some defensive pressure off Oliver/Trac/Brayshaw and allowing all three of them to rest forward more regularly (well, Trac and Oliver at least).

37 minutes ago, The Jackson 6 said:

Not sure I understand this one. His standout games have all been when he is led to the ball.  I just feel we have other options to try in this rebounding HB role. Would prefer him in a more regular midfield rotation - taking some defensive pressure off Oliver/Trac/Brayshaw and allowing all three of them to rest forward more regularly (well, Trac and Oliver at least).

You need to add Viney to the mix of inside mids TJ6.  I expect that's the reason that Harmes is being tried at HB.  I reckon he has the attributes to make a decent fist of it, but obviously, only time will tell.

Is this Goodwin's "Try Bayley Fritsch in a position he is not best suited for" move for 2020?

Edited March 1, 20206 yr by pewpewpew

Goody has come a long way since Lewis/Jones on the MCG wings.

 

Good move Goodwin.  Harmes' leap and hands are underrated.  Will do well in the forward half.

3 minutes ago, TGR said:

Goody has come a long way since Lewis/Jones on the MCG wings.

 

Good move Goodwin.  Harmes' leap and hands are underrated.  Will do well in the forward half.

Do you mean their forward half? Never sure what you mean tiger.

Edited March 1, 20206 yr by ManDee
James Harmes is set to move into a rebounding half-back role

1 hour ago, The Jackson 6 said:

Not sure I understand this one. His standout games have all been when he is led to the ball.  I just feel we have other options to try in this rebounding HB role. Would prefer him in a more regular midfield rotation - taking some defensive pressure off Oliver/Trac/Brayshaw and allowing all three of them to rest forward more regularly (well, Trac and Oliver at least).

Good points TJ6. I dont think Goodwin has really thought this through

11 minutes ago, pineapple dee said:

Good points TJ6. I dont think Goodwin has really thought this through

Agree. Just woke up one morning and thought 'heck why don't I play harmsey at hb?'

Sheesh.

A great spot for him.

Good in the air so can impact aerial contests.

Prepared  to play roles assigned to him.

His best footy has been as a shut down tagger so defensively minded and can be sit on a dangerous medium forward if required.

Excellent tackle and a  generally accurate long kick.

Good move.

Just because he plays off HB doesn’t mean he also doesn’t rotate through the middle.  The way they push the defence so high means he will also find himself on the ball many times.  His ability to hit a contest and deliver well to a team mate is exactly what we need and spreads our midfield wider and deeper.  I like Lockhart back there, too.  Our back six will be a formidable unit:  Jetta, May, Lockhart, Lever, Harmes, Oscar (or other, don’t hate me ).  Hibberd has some work to do, but at his best also makes this a better group.  Having Harmes own a resting midfielder from the opposition (ie Dusty) is a good move.

Gee a coach trying a player in a different position which will most likely be beneficial to the team and getting knocked for doing so, nothing changes much in the world does it.

Harmsey will perform well whatever roll he is given. Has tagged the best players  when needed and has outpointed them many times. He has become a well round footballer who reads the play well. Off halfback he will run and carry and set us up, 

He can run hard tackle as he did in the finals with 20 of the best he is solid as and most of all he has time on his side.

He learns quick. Another string to his bow.

  

Edited March 1, 20206 yr by nosoupforme

You can only have so many inside mids in the midfield rotation. Trac wanted more midfield time so Harmes gets pushed to a half back. Let's see how it plays out. 

If Petracca and Brayshaw are going to play more this year on ball rather than forward and wing respectively, then someone gets pushed out of the midfield group. From the limited game play we've seen (or read about on Demonland), it looks like Sparrow is expected to play midfield minutues, too.

However, I seem to recall Harmes playing HBF previously when the club was trying to find his best position. It didn't seem to work then, although Harmes is a much better player now. I hope it works, but if it doesn't I'm happy knowing he can slot straight back into a midfield role.

Harmes back there (wirh jetts hibberd  jones, Lockhart all in the mix for sonar roles )makes it nigh on impossible for hunt to play in the backline.

1 minute ago, binman said:

Harmes back there (wirh jetts hibberd  jones, Lockhart all in the mix for sonar roles )makes it nigh on impossible for hunt to play in the backline.

And presumably Salem, too? (although I don't know what a 'sonar' roles is. Did you mean 'similar'?)

If this is Goodys 2020  move where does Salem play?

We have Sonar wow!!

Looks like Jonesy might play LRO.

5 minutes ago, Kent said:

If this is Goodys 2020  move where does Salem play?

B: Jetta May Hibberd
HB: Harmes Lever Salem

(Obviously with a few rotations, but that could be a starting 6)

7 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

And presumably Salem, too? (although I don't know what a 'sonar' roles is. Did you mean 'similar'?)

Yes Salem too. Complete forgot him.

 Jeez it is going to be hard to crack a position in the back six. 

This is exactly what we want, trying to fit everyone in. Personally, I like the move of Harmes to HB. He’s become Mr Reliable, if need be shove him in the guts when an oppo mid is running riot. 

He's shown he can be a decent decision maker and 1:1 defender, so I think he can play a role. What I like most about it is that we have someone down there who can win it in the contest, I think we've been let down in that area.

If the ball comes in, and we're not intercepting, then we've got to be able to win it on the ground and get it back out cleanly.

Don't mind it to be be honest. 

12 minutes ago, binman said:

Yes Salem too. Complete forgot him.

 Jeez it is going to be hard to crack a position in the back six. 

Half back flanks. The one spot we have covered in spades... I'd almost have rathered they move him forward. Put selection pressure on the ANB type defensive high half forward role. But I have to admit his marking for his size should really help him slot in as an intercept rebounder. 

Wonder if we'll see as many don't argues from him coming out of the backline

Edited March 1, 20206 yr by ArtificialWisdom
Typos

21 minutes ago, binman said:

Harmes back there (wirh jetts hibberd  jones, Lockhart all in the mix for sonar roles )makes it nigh on impossible for hunt to play in the backline.

And Rivers is already better than Hunt.

43 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

Gee a coach trying a player in a different position which will most likely be beneficial to the team and getting knocked for doing so, nothing changes much in the world does it.

...and 'drysdale' knocking anyone who might question the club or coach.

Nothing much changes in the world does it.

For the record I think it is a move worth trying but I can understand the thinking of others who don't.