By JARROD POTTER
IMAGINE the childhood football dream.
Running out onto the MCG for your debut match, wearing the colours of your beloved team as you burst through the banner.
James Harmes is one step closer to fulfilling that fantasy.
Harmes, 18, from Devon Meadows, was selected at pick two in the AFL Rookie Draft by the team he’s always supported – Melbourne.
Harmes couldn’t believe he would not only be heading into the AFL system, but also going to become a Demon.
“It’s pretty crazy growing up barracking for Melbourne and now that I’m on their list as well, so it’s pretty amazing,” Harmes said.
The wily midfielder was training with the Casey Scorpions in anticipation for a year spent in the Victorian Football League, following last week’s AFL National Draft where he went unpicked, so he’s well accustomed to Casey Fields where he’ll likely play a lot of games this season.
He had to use the disappointment of being overlooked in the main draft as motivation to train harder.
“It was pretty hard, I was training at Casey and it was pretty hard to get back to training on that Friday night after missing out on Thursday,” Harmes said.
“Was just really disappointed and it made me work even harder at the training and I took that disappointment into training and worked as hard as I could to get a spot this week.”
He had talked to Melbourne in the lead up to the Rookie Draft and thought he would be heading there – but to read his name listed among the other draftees and knowing he is now an AFL footballer is still sinking in for the versatile midfielder.
“I can’t believe it – it’s crazy – can’t believe it’s happened,” Harmes said.
“I spoke to them (Melbourne) yesterday and they said that they had me in their sights for their second pick, pick 20 or something (19), and they said they’d take me there.
“They said they’d take me with their second round pick but they took me with the second pick.”
Harmes said he’d love to wear Colin Sylvia’s vacated number 12 – which will become available this season with Sylvia heading to Fremantle – but unfortunately for the Devon Meadows’ maestro, the number has already been taken by new recruit Dom Tyson.
Also selected at the AFL Rookie Draft was Bunyip-born Ben Ross, who was formerly on the North Melbourne list – who was taken with pick 57 by Hawthorn.
