Farewell James Harmes

[Palace Dees 2,000]

No matter what happens,  he will always be my bookmark for 2021 GF replays. ❤️💙🏆

[Diamond_Jim 11,743]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Laurie and Woey are definitely mids, not sure if they are long term AFL players yet.

Woey is starting to remind me of Stretch and JKH but as yet not as good. Needs to have a good second half of the year at Casey. The other in the mix is AMW.

[Kent 2,581]

1 hour ago, Young Blood said:

No harmes done

Get out of Harmes way!!

[Diamond_Jim 11,743]

21 minutes ago, Palace Dees said:

No matter what happens,  he will always be my bookmark for 2021 GF replays. ❤️💙🏆

Yep... my bookmark is a couple of minutes earlier... the failed disposal by Mitch Hannan

(otherwise you miss Caleb Daniel dumping Gawn)

[old55 21,287]

1 hour ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

If Harmes leaving allows us to keep JJ I'm fine with that.

Also have to remember we will have some decent players coming in the draft this year and have players like Howes, Woewodin and Laurie developing nicely in the 2s.

Have always loved Harmesy, but may be a win-win for both the club and Harmesy.

Yes but that decision will be entirely JJ's and FA starts before trade.  Could there be a direct conversation with JJ prior to this that Harmes is leaving and his chances will increase?

[Freddy Fuschia 661]

2 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

As I clicked on it @dazzledavey36 I thought ‘Ahhh a mutual beneficial parting’.

Got to get a steady gig somewhere and Melbourne are not it.

Great story as I am sure we all know… Boyhood supporter and was a fundamental part of turning the GF our way. 
❤️💙

Straight swap for Darcy Parish.

[Ham 741]

Would much rather keep Harmes than JJ. Laurie is not AFL material, not sure on Woey yet. 

[Bonkers 914]

Could be an important player this year. Can play on ball and as a half forward flank if that’s even a position anymore. He could be a good option shutting down someone like Daicos. Ok, he is not our most valuable player, but he can play a significant role negating the oppositions better players and can rotate through the middle if required. He is good depth and we don’t have that much depth through the middle IMO, although we have a few elite players there.

[dazzledavey36 48,715]

Reckon North would be a great fit. Has the Todd Viney connection, but would also add some inside strength with Ben Cunnington on his last legs.

[Ollie fan 2,127]

I still think that if he is not best 22, he is close to it and the moment we have an injury, he will be required. I would hate to see him go. I expect JJ will go and I for one can live with that.

[John Crow Batty 8,255]

Players in top teams that are past 25 years old and around the best 20-25 range get traded due to salary caps and regeneration. Players in bottom teams around same range get delisted. Like to keep him on a lower salary but his rewards as an AFL player will be extended either way.

Edited May 17, 2023 by John Crow Batty

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 3,925]

Benefits all as he clearly can't get a game here. He would fit into a lot of teams though

[Diamond_Jim 11,743]

The flip side is that I hope we are targeting a 12-18 ranked player at a lesser club that wants a crack at a flag

[Demon Disciple 10,928]

I can live with Nut leaving, if we are able to bring in another 10-20 player to help our starting 22.

[BigBadBustling 214]

Surely goes to the Tigers as the Dusty replacement?

[Jaded No More 57,800]

At 28 and with a year left to run on his contract, I think this is a good move. It will allow Harmes to be best 22 again, which he is certainly good enough to be, and it will open up some cap space which we could use to keep someone like JJ who is 5 years younger.

I would have no issues if he stays, but I think if he wants to get the most out of the back end of his career, he would be best served to do it elsewhere and I am sure the club would help to make it happen if that was his wish.

 

[The heart beats true 16,112]

Don’t write him off yet. A lot of this season still to go, he will get a chance, and I’d back him in to take it.

[Jaded No More 57,800]

41 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Reckon North would be a great fit. Has the Todd Viney connection, but would also add some inside strength with Ben Cunnington on his last legs.

My first thought as well, but I would also understand if he wouldn't want to spend the remainder of his career fighting for a win. He went through that at Melbourne, won a flag, and is probably not keen to return back to that.

Essendon, Richmond (Cotchin and Dusty gone), or Saints might be interested, and that's assuming he doesn't want to move interstate to say GCS or GWS. 

He is quite versatile so could also play half back/half forward. 

[dazzledavey36 48,715]

14 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

My first thought as well, but I would also understand if he wouldn't want to spend the remainder of his career fighting for a win. He went through that at Melbourne, won a flag, and is probably not keen to return back to that.

Essendon, Richmond (Cotchin and Dusty gone), or Saints might be interested, and that's assuming he doesn't want to move interstate to say GCS or GWS. 

He is quite versatile so could also play half back/half forward. 

Yeah fair point. 

[Supermercado 2,611]

Always liked Harmes but every successful team has players fall off the side. I'd be sad to see him go but better to get a game at a mid-table mediocrity than spend half the year at Casey or as a sub.

[chookrat 3,776]

Harmes is a true clubman and Melbourne person who has ridden the lows and highs and been really important for the team, culture and supporters. This said with our list profile I think it will benefit both parties if Harmes can find a 2 - 3 year deal with another club that needs an experienced midfielder either to provide cover for a young midfield or as depth for another contender.

Also he's at 147 games and I'd be all for him having the opportunity to reach 150 if he does want to pursue his career at another club.

[JTR 2,627]

This is a re-hash of the same story from 2022.  Must be a slow news days

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-rumours-whispers-2022-james-harmes-to-essendon-request-aaron-francis-to-sydney-brodie-grundy-pay-cut-melbourne/news-story/05b4e67a11ebb8111151227ae4444014

 

[Salems Lot 2,369]

2 hours ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

I’m not sure we ever got clarification for the ‘personal reasons’ that kept him out of the team earlier in the year.  

I thought it may be that keeping him out of the team recently…

 

Probably because they are Personal issues

[FritschyBusiness 1,455]

Must be a slow news day for the media. 

Let's look at a few things. 

He is contracted until the end of next year
He is a premiership player
He grew up a Melbourne Supporter
He has many close friends at the club
He got snubbed by Brad Scott at the end of last year.

Nothing to see here, move along people. 

[monoccular 16,057]

3 hours ago, Kent said:

I hope he replaces Sparrow also and has a blinder

Reports were that he didn’t train Monday. 

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Woey is starting to remind me of Stretch and JKH but as yet not as good. Needs to have a good second half of the year at Casey. The other in the mix is AMW.

 

1 hour ago, Ham said:

Would much rather keep Harmes than JJ. Laurie is not AFL material, not sure on Woey yet. 

FCS Woey is on his second year at a top club and hasn’t broken in yet.  Give him time.