11 hours ago, Macca said:

Yes he argued fiercely for his club here on the thread about the Bombers peptide scandal

Whilst I didn't agree with him he put up quite a convincing argument in terms of how guilt could be arrived at and where the actual proof was

Of course, WADA only ever needed to arrive at a  'Comfortable satisfaction' conclusion which many weren't familiar with ... for instance, our tribunal doesn't work* that way in its adjudications

 

*Does anyone know how the tribunal actually works?!!

 

A very smart footy fan who calls things as he sees it, you always get a great footy convo with him.

One of the good Essendon fans, also has a big soft spot for us which helps! 

I agree with some other posters... would rather see Laurie in this week and Harmes given another week or two to get back to his very very dynamic running best before getting his next call up.

Needs to come in and impact both at the ball, pressuring and when he drifts forward (if given that role).

For whatever reason, i don't believe we saw the real Harmes in his first two matches.  He looked a shadow of his usual self.  VG at the hanger but no need to rush.  Better to get him cherry ripe and super hungry again.

James Harmes is not a best 22 player at the MFC right at the moment. he's right on the fringe and i suspect will be at another club next year. 

Ripping guy and great team man, but it's one of those good team problems we haven't had in a really long time

Gee he looked good on the weekend and covers both ends of the ground which we missed against the Gliders

7 hours ago, demon3165 said:

I'm a bomber am I, my membership for the last 22 years as a Redleg and Trident does not say that.

Brilliant.  I didn't seriously think you would be ONE OF THOSE! You have 10 years on me.  Hats off to you.

12 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

James Harmes is not a best 22 player at the MFC right at the moment. he's right on the fringe and i suspect will be at another club next year. 

Ripping guy and great team man, but it's one of those good team problems we haven't had in a really long time

You basing that on this season's form or?

1 minute ago, Demon Dynasty said:

You basing that on this season's form or?

No, it's been a few years in the making to be honest, the only role JH really has made his own is the tagging role when we choose to go down that path. truthfully he's always been a guy who's given us an incredible return for a rookie, but he has some limitations and i suspect those inside the club rate guys like Jordan and Sparrow a little bit higher now. 

14 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

James Harmes is not a best 22 player at the MFC right at the moment. he's right on the fringe and i suspect will be at another club next year. 

Ripping guy and great team man, but it's one of those good team problems we haven't had in a really long time

Quite possible, but if we lose all of Harmes, Jordon and Dunstan we are going to be desperate for some midfield depth.

Harmes is too good for VFL.

22 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Harmes is too good for VFL.

Of that there is no doubt. 

I do wonder where he will fit in currently though.

44 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

No, it's been a few years in the making to be honest, the only role JH really has made his own is the tagging role when we choose to go down that path. truthfully he's always been a guy who's given us an incredible return for a rookie, but he has some limitations and i suspect those inside the club rate guys like Jordan and Sparrow a little bit higher now. 

As a run with i'd still have him in our best 22 prior to this season's 'off' start.

Be very handy pitting him against the Pies for Pendles or N Daicos imv,  provided he was in ripping nic.

I'd also have him going head to head vs Zorko next time we meet.

Im sure there's others that he could run with playing the cooler.

I trust the FD will work all this out though in terms of match ups & whether his track form / fitness & loads are up to scratch before bringing him back.

Edited April 19, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

10 minutes ago, layzie said:

Of that there is no doubt. 

I do wonder where he will fit in currently though.

It will be interesting to see this week layz.  We have often heard ANB and Spargo are two important cogs. One of them is missing this week and one thing we’re all sure of is that Harmesy’s two way running has never been an issue. 

48 minutes ago, Deebymistake said:

Brilliant.  I didn't seriously think you would be ONE OF THOSE! You have 10 years on me.  Hats off to you.

And I will let you on a secret and tell know one, I was also in the cheer squad in the early 70s

3 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

It will be interesting to see this week layz.  We have often heard ANB and Spargo are two important cogs. One of them is missing this week and one thing we’re all sure of is that Harmesy’s two way running has never been an issue. 

And it is the one thing we could have used more of on Saturday.

For that alone he's still worth having competing for a spot, just not sure what that spot is just yet. 

3 hours ago, demon3165 said:

And I will let you on a secret and tell know one, I was also in the cheer squad in the early 70s

And if you live in Elwood . Then I used to go home with you on the train.  I think

3 hours ago, demon3165 said:

And I will let you on a secret and tell know one, I was also in the cheer squad in the early 70s

I was in the Cheer Squad 1966-68. Remember buying streamers at Coles and ripping up phone books..and a  girl called Jenny in the cheer squad! Ross Dillon, Peter Smith and Rob Dowsing kicking lots of goals at Glenferrie oval and trouncing the Hawks after us being 4 or 5 goals down at 1/4 time.

16 minutes ago, Demons3031 said:

I was in the Cheer Squad 1966-68. Remember buying streamers at Coles and ripping up phone books..and a  girl called Jenny in the cheer squad! Ross Dillon, Peter Smith and Rob Dowsing kicking lots of goals at Glenferrie oval and trouncing the Hawks after us being 4 or 5 goals down at 1/4 time.

Jenny Jenny who can I turn to?
You give me something I can hold on to
I know you'll think I'm like the others before
Who saw your name and number on the wall

Jenny I've got your number
I need to make you mine
 

Jenny don't change your number Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine

 

Jenny Jenny you're the girl for me
Oh, you don't know me but you make me so happy
I tried to call you before but I lost my nerve
I tried my imagination but I was disturbed

Jenny I've got your number
I need to make you mine

 

Jenny don't change your number Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine

Edited April 19, 20231 yr by Queanbeyan Demon

Harmes is handy to have but he has shown over the past couple of years he just cannot play consistently at the level required, which is a pity as when he is good, he is very good

1 hour ago, 640MD said:

And if you live in Elwood . Then I used to go home with you on the train.  I think

Not Elwood, different train line

11 hours ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Jenny Jenny who can I turn to?
You give me something I can hold on to
I know you'll think I'm like the others before
Who saw your name and number on the wall

Jenny I've got your number
I need to make you mine
 

Jenny don't change your number Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine

 

Jenny Jenny you're the girl for me
Oh, you don't know me but you make me so happy
I tried to call you before but I lost my nerve
I tried my imagination but I was disturbed

Jenny I've got your number
I need to make you mine

 

Jenny don't change your number Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine Eight six seven five three oh nine

I think that summed up the situation perfectly!!LOL

On 4/19/2023 at 7:11 AM, KingDingAling said:

When up and running Harmes is an impact player for us. We needed him at his best last week. We need him at his best going forward. Suspect it’s why he’s been relegated. He either displays his class in the VFL and comes back in and has an impact, or he stays in the VFL. I’m glad he shown his class. Our midfield needs him badly. Harmes up and running is our 3rd best mid.

Agree.

One area of concern IMO, is we lack at least one good quality Midfielder in the 22.

Harmes, at his best ( 2018 form ) fills the void perfectly.

Harmes, at his worst, is a liability.

On 4/19/2023 at 7:11 AM, KingDingAling said:

When up and running Harmes is an impact player for us. We needed him at his best last week. We need him at his best going forward. Suspect it’s why he’s been relegated. He either displays his class in the VFL and comes back in and has an impact, or he stays in the VFL. I’m glad he shown his class. Our midfield needs him badly. Harmes up and running is our 3rd best mid.

I'm not the biggest Viney fan in the world but it's absurd to think Harmes is our 3rd best mid.

I'd happily argue he's not Top 5. (Viney, Jordon & Sparrow)

 

What @Little Goffy says below is not far from my thoughts although I'm not sure we can afford to play run with roles at present as it upsets our system

On 4/18/2023 at 12:02 PM, Little Goffy said:

I see a cycle with him. It starts where he goes in to 'do a job' - play a tight defensive role on a suitably dangerous opposition midfielder or half-back - and he has enough initiative to then burst off that position for a moment and get the bonus counter-attack.

When it goes well the player he is shadowing keeps taking him to the right places to rack up disposals, and he looks like a potent midfielder overall.

But then there's a game where there isn't really a suitable opponent, and on evident form you couldn't possibly drop him, so he play a more open role. Despite being given that freedom, his numbers and impact don't go up and often will go down. The experiment with him as a general midfielder carries on for a while with him being average as a mid but now not providing the shutdown value. His form dips, he maybe spends a round or two out, and then is called up to do his original job, and is excellent. Start the cycle again.

Edited April 20, 20231 yr by BW511

14 hours ago, demon3165 said:

Not Elwood, different train line

Forgetting my postcodes

but the cheer squad was not really big in early 1970

i do remember john h, Stan o, Don r, and G t,  they were my main friends Mal t of course   Need to ask rosemary for other names. Far too long ago .

3 hours ago, 640MD said:

Forgetting my postcodes

but the cheer squad was not really big in early 1970

i do remember john h, Stan o, Don r, and G t,  they were my main friends Mal t of course   Need to ask rosemary for other names. Far too long ago .

I am trying to remember the Guy that was running it, Andy? we sat in the old southern stand in those days.

Absolutely love Harmesy.  He’s a ripping bloke. Friendly. Great with the fans. Great with Jon Amos. Dees supporter as a kid and gives 110%. 
 

He has been heart and soul over many years and a premiership player. 
 

But his game v Lions was horrible. Horrible. 10 disposals.  4 turnovers. 4 free kicks against. He suffers badly from continually tackling too high around the neck and shoulders. Not the waist.  His disposals were tardy at best.  I think missed tackles also were evident.  
 

We hope he’s in the right mindset (two weeks away for personal leave) and gets the clubs support where possible. 
 

In the VFL, he was clearly above the standard and dominated.  But his disposals were still lacking the sharpness by hand and foot that are needed at the top AFL level. I think his role is maybe purely as a defensive/tagging mid.  It’s needed as we’ve had opposition players dominate us in the midfield without the negating role impact (example Parish last week). 
 

I think more time at Casey is needed to reassess where he is at.  Hopefully he can rediscover some of the hard edge he had in 2021 and prior to reinsert himself into our midfield.