James Harmes off to Essendon?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Give me Harmes over Lachie Hunter.

I still believe Harmes should play as a permanent tagger, he actually is more attacking in that role because he is naturally around the ball more often.

[Ollie fan 3,370]

31 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

In your opinion, he honestly won’t be missed by whom??!!  By you?!?!

Oh, I forgot, DD won’t see this since he’s got me on ignore, but I need to say that Harmesy WOULD INDEED be missed. He’d be sorely missed (clearly not by DD). He’d be missed by people who actually matter… he’d be missed by his teammates. He is hands down the player who would be missed the most by his teammates.

Yes, and look at how it broke the clubs spirit when we got rid of James McDonald. I don’t believe you can let players like this go and then ask players to bleed for the club.

[Travy14 1,917]

Just now, Ollie fan said:

Yes, and look at how it broke the clubs spirit when we got rid of James McDonald. I don’t believe you can let players like this go and then ask players to bleed for the club.

Entirely different situation, McDonald was cut no chance for a contract.  Harmes has a contract and will see it out if he wants to stay at the Dees.  

[Jaded No More 68,903]

31 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

In your opinion, he honestly won’t be missed by whom??!!  By you?!?!

Oh, I forgot, DD won’t see this since he’s got me on ignore, but I need to say that Harmesy WOULD INDEED be missed. He’d be sorely missed (clearly not by DD). He’d be missed by people who actually matter… he’d be missed by his teammates. He is hands down the player who would be missed the most by his teammates.

I get where you’re coming from, but this is footy. He’s contracted yet he’s choosing to explore his options. If he was that much a heart and soul player who loved his teammates so much, he’d understand that he can’t be ahead of Trac, Clarry and Viney and get on with it and do what the team needs him to do. Like when Gus played 3 different roles this year because this is what the team required of him. 
 

I would be happy for Harmes to stay. He got a big long contract from us after we pulled him off the rookie list. He won a flag with us. He is a regular in the 22. We’ve done absolutely nothing wrong by him, so if he’s choosing to explore his options then so be it. Clearly he isn’t that fussed about his teammates missing him and I’m sure they’ll get over it too. He’s not dying he’s maybe moving to a different team. They can still all be friends and love each other. 

[DubDee 25,839]

16 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

If Harmes played 22 games as an unaccountable mid and the umps gave him all of Oliver’s votes he’d be a chance of that absurd result too. 
 

2018 Melbourne best and fairest votes

1	Max Gawn	657
2	Clayton Oliver	595
3	James Harmes	468
4	Nathan Jones	449
5	Tom McDonald	433
6	Angus Brayshaw	429

If Harmes played 22 games as an accountable mid it would mean we rate him as such. But we don’t.
4 years later he has been dropped several times. Since 2018 he hasn’t put a consistent season together

keep digging mate

[Jaded No More 68,903]

3 minutes ago, Ollie fan said:

Yes, and look at how it broke the clubs spirit when we got rid of James McDonald. I don’t believe you can let players like this go and then ask players to bleed for the club.

How is this a comparable situation? 
McDonald was captain and pushed out into early retirement when he wasn’t ready.
Harmes is IN CONTRACT and exploring his options. I haven’t heard a peep from Melbourne saying we want him to go. 
 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,207]

1 hour ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

Is Gus Brayshaw playing midfield next year? Because, IMO, he hampered us in the midfield in every game except the first one after signing the new deal. He is best suited to the wing. Our success in 21 was due to the selflessness of guys like Brayshaw. If the tail is wagging the dog, things like Harmes leaving start to happen. It was very odd that Brayshaw moved from the HBF to the midfield as soon as he signed on. Was it a condition ? There is chatter that Harmes is after more midfield time. He was pushed out when Brayshaw entered the picture. Sparrow is also loved by the coaches, as we found out at the Bluey. My concern remains that we seem to have lost the selfless approach and guys are disgruntled and looking to cash in as premiership players 

Do you honestly believe club's allow players dictate which position they play? And that club's keep them there if it is not working out because it is a condition of a contract? Honestly??

[Demon4Life 603]

I find this very troubling. Something stinks at Casey

[dazzledavey36 54,861]

Harmes situation now being compared to James McDonald.

I've heard it all now.

[Jaded No More 68,903]

11 minutes ago, Demon4Life said:

I find this very troubling. Something stinks at Casey

You’re right. It’s not like we signed every single one of our best players and locked away the two best mids in the competition for 7 years. 
 

Edited October 3, 2022 by Jaded No More

[Demonstone 22,486]

At least posters are no longer complaining about it being a boring trade period with Melbourne not doing anything.

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

14 minutes ago, DubDee said:

If Harmes played 22 games as an accountable mid it would mean we rate him as such. But we don’t.
4 years later he has been dropped several times. Since 2018 he hasn’t put a consistent season together

keep digging mate

Played every game in 2019. Backline moved failed in 20. Played every game when healthy last year. Missed a couple of games as sub post injury this year which was the only time he was actually omitted. Hardly a surprise when wing/mid/half forward is an insane ask of any player. 

Played wing the last 3 weeks and played it perfectly fine.

A couple of injuries the last two years which are valid concerns on his value. But nothing major. If he could just play wing/mid or forward/mid he’d be as solid as a rock. Instead he’s moved around because we don’t have enough midfield versatility. 

[layzie 33,793]

43 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

I rate him and have enjoyed his service, even if I've been known to call him Nathan Jones from Wish... But I assume the FD see a host if names infront or on par with him. Not dissimilar to Ellis leaving the tigers for the gold coast. 

I reckon I've heard the Ellis leaving for Gold Coast example for 3 players so far.

[DubDee 25,839]

10 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Played every game in 2019. Backline moved failed in 20. Played every game when healthy last year. Missed a couple of games as sub post injury this year which was the only time he was actually omitted. Hardly a surprise when wing/mid/half forward is an insane ask of any player. 

Played wing the last 3 weeks and played it perfectly fine.

A couple of injuries the last two years which are valid concerns on his value. But nothing major. If he could just play wing/mid or forward/mid he’d be as solid as a rock. Instead he’s moved around because we don’t have enough midfield versatility. 

Hasn’t finished in the top 10 in the BnF in the past 3 years. 

[Macca 16,961]

We could be quite active in the draft with all this player movement

The following are all guesses/approximates

Bedford (pick 35)

Hunt (pick 52)

Harmes (pick 25)

Jackson (picks 10 & 13 - this year)

Our own picks 32 & 50

So 10, 13, 25, 32, 35, 50 & 52)

We could bundle up picks 35, 50 & 52 for pick 23 (we could deal with GWS again)

Ending with picks 10, 13, 23, 25 & 32

We have to give Collingwood something for Grundy but what if we decide to pay more of his salary and not have to give them much of a draft pick (we 'are' freeing up our salary cap)

Effectively we end up with Grundy and 5 picks (all 1st & 2nd round) and only lose 1 required player (Jackson)

We could go to the draft with all the picks thus easing pressure on the salary cap (with low cost draftees) or use 2 or 3 of the picks on established talent (if we have the cap space)

Edited October 3, 2022 by Macca

[Chelly 810]

13 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

At least posters are no longer complaining about it being a boring trade period with Melbourne not doing anything.

Is Melbourne doing anything? It’s some random players wanting out and a couple wanting in. The club’s like the rest of us, eating popcorn and waiting for something to happen.

[layzie 33,793]

28 minutes ago, Demon4Life said:

I find this very troubling. Something stinks at Casey

Yeah that premiership stinks 

[Redleg 40,895]

1 hour ago, Dwight Schrute said:

The rumour going around is we're the team most keen to sign Lachie Hunter, i'm not a huge fan of this, just hope if it's true the club has done it's due diligence 

 28, not quick and poor culture. Wow! I hope not.

Where is that key forward, unless we think we can draft one with the picks we are getting.

There is one we could get with a pick in the 20's.

Edited October 3, 2022 by Redleg

[Demons1858 1,760]

52 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Dunstan is already on our list. He doesn't need to 'come into Harmes' spot' on the list.

No context change needed, just some hand holding and walking through apparently.

The point you miss again is that Dunstan or others can replaces Harmes and in the starting 22 and we dont lose too much on field. Harmes salary can be used for our key needs ... but you keep going back to old posts

[Palace Dees 2,311]

Have just got back to Demonland after spending the past 4 hours in family time - remember them?

I won't spend hours reading through all comments,  but if Harmes is pushed out......it would be a catastrophe.  To me he is the most 'Melbourne' player. Love him to bits. Never heard anyone say he didn't give his all. FFS MFC, you have to see what he brings to the club, tangibly and in. Seriously,  my lifetime passion would be challenged.  He must stay!

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

28 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Hasn’t finished in the top 10 in the BnF in the past 3 years. 

2020 just flat out wasn’t good down back.
 

Last year his result from 18 games would’ve been very solid over 25 games, fringe top 10. Given he played 3 positions most weeks it was a great effort. 

Not a strong result this year but with a few missed games and the difficulty of his role he’s still around the mark for our role players. 

[layzie 33,793]

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

I get where you’re coming from, but this is footy. He’s contracted yet he’s choosing to explore his options. If he was that much a heart and soul player who loved his teammates so much, he’d understand that he can’t be ahead of Trac, Clarry and Viney and get on with it and do what the team needs him to do. Like when Gus played 3 different roles this year because this is what the team required of him. 
 

I would be happy for Harmes to stay. He got a big long contract from us after we pulled him off the rookie list. He won a flag with us. He is a regular in the 22. We’ve done absolutely nothing wrong by him, so if he’s choosing to explore his options then so be it. Clearly he isn’t that fussed about his teammates missing him and I’m sure they’ll get over it too. He’s not dying he’s maybe moving to a different team. They can still all be friends and love each other. 

This is why I never listen to anyone who claims that they think player x is so loyal and would never leave us. Its a game, people usually explore their options. 

[Turner 1,514]

4 hours ago, mo64 said:

I'd say the club is driving the move.

1 hour ago, DemonWA said:

I think his exit interview probably indicated that he might spend some time at Casey next year so feel free to explore options...

i was gonna say something dimilar, exit interview probably went something like this

JH: my best position is midfield i should play there more often and i want to play there more often

coaches: we agree, but youre behind a few there right now so we want to keep playing you at HF/W/tagging or stints in there when necessary

JH: hmm ok not sure, go dees but gee wonder if someone will pay me to be a permanent mid

dons: hi James

[darkhorse72 1,916]

Does a role in the team and at times very well.  But we don't know who approached who.  If its numbers contacting him, why wouldn't you go listen to what they have to offer.

I think on memories he was a Dee's supporting growing up, whether that has weight who knows.

 

[Demon Disciple 12,119]

2 hours ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

How the memory fades.

Fritsch.

To be fair @monoccular could only see through a single lense