By JARROD POTTER
“THE words can’t describe it, it’s every boy’s dream to grow up and play for the club they grew up barracking for – and for it to finally happen is unbelievable.”
James Harmes, 19, from Devon Meadows, has always been Melbourne through-and-through.
Melbourne has been Harmes’ team throughout his life, long before he entered the AFL. Through the ups and downs he’d have his Demons’ jumper on, barracking hard no matter what the result.
The young speedster could have only dreamt of the day he’d play in the national league as he went from level to level – junior footy, local seniors, TAC Cup, into the VFL and now finally onto the AFL.
It was on Saturday Harmes got to live a great childhood fantasy – walking up the MCG race to become an AFL footballer and on top of all that, debuting for his beloved Demons.
He went from training on Thursday morning – thinking about the weekend’s VFL match – to getting his first chance to play in the national league in the blink of an eye.
The former Dandenong Stingrays/Devon Meadows midfielder was promoted to the Melbourne main-list on the back of his stellar efforts with the Casey Scorpions this season, particularly his 26 possessions and 12 tackles performance in the cold, wet conditions last Saturday.
“I found out I was going to get elevated, then I was pretty excited just being on the main list,” Harmes said. “But I wasn’t sure if I was playing until about five o’clock on Thursday when the coaches pulled me in and told me.
“After that – that night I couldn’t really sleep, I was pretty excited, but it was all of Friday, waiting for the game and the build-up was just thinking about getting out there and playing on the MCG.”
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 Harmes made the most of the chance as he roamed throughout the forward line and clamped down on any Bombers’ defender that crossed his path.
“It was a pretty proud moment for me and my family,” Harmes said. “I can’t even describe how I was feeling – just the excitement and I was so happy to be running out with the boys.
“When I did get out there I was just trying to take it all in – it happened so fast – was a great experience and hopefully I can do it a bit more often.
“Couldn’t believe how fast it all went – couldn’t believe how quick everything went feels like a bit of a dream at the moment.”
Harmes’ debut was brought to an end with his tally reading nine disposals, three tackles and a behind coming from a set-shot he clanged into the post.
He was subbed out of the match late in the third term and struggled to contain himself as he watched on from the sidelines and at times, talked down from his sheer excitement of barracking on his AFL team-mates.
“When I got the vest I was a bit disappointed – but someone has to get it so that’s understandable,” Harmes said.
“I sat down and I was just taking it all in – sitting there thinking ‘is this all really happening’.
“It was a little bit hard sitting there as all I wanted to do was help the team – when I was sitting there I couldn’t do anything and was getting a bit excited and nervous.
“Starting cheering when we started coming back and the physio told me to calm down a bit ’cause I was getting a bit excited.”
His Dees failed to hold off the baby Bombers as Essendon ran over the top to take the 10.9 (69) to 7.18 (60) victory, but the experience was one forever ingrained in Harmes’ mind and now that he knows what the AFL standard is like, he’s even hungrier for more.
“Hopefully I can play again this week – get a few kicks and do a bit more,” Harmes said. “Now I’ve had a taste for it I just want to stay in there as long as I can and keep playing my role for the team.”
Melbourne face Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
