By Jarrod Potter
A NAIL-BITER in the cold was a harsh, but exciting, orientation to the AFL ranks for James Harmes.
Harmes, 19, from Devon Meadows, got to run out onto the MCG for the second time in his football career, but this time he fulfilled his boyhood dream of playing league football for the team he has barracked for throughout his life.
The first time – playing a schoolboy’s grand final for Hallam Senior College – didn’t have the same gravitas as Saturday’s AFL clash where he debuted for Melbourne Football Club.
After earning his elevation onto the AFL main-list from the Melbourne rookie-list on Thursday, Harmes was put in the deep end quickly for his inaugural match.
He was listed in the starting 21 against Essendon and not as the starting substitute as so many debuting players have done before him and Harmes made the most of the chance as he roamed throughout the forward line.
Wearing number 43 in a frosty reception – at least temperature wise on a frigid Melbourne Saturday – Harmes as he finished his first match with nine disposals, three tackles and a behind.
He was subbed out of the match late in the third term and had to watch on from the sidelines as Melbourne failed to hold off the baby Bombers as Essendon ran over the top to take the 10.9 (69) to 7.18 (60) victory.
For more on Harmes’ first AFL match, grab a copy of this week’s Pakenham Gazette and Cranbourne News.
