By JARROD POTTER
“IF YOU miss out on the national draft it’s not the end of the world – the rookie draft is seeing more and more players getting elevated and playing AFL football.”
This piece of humble advice comes from Melbourne AFL footballer James Harmes, who knows better than most how it feels to be overlooked on draft night.
Embodying his own advice, Harmes was given at pick two in the December 2014 rookie draft and after two seasons pushing himself through the VFL and into an AFL debut, Harmes, 20, from Devon Meadows, has now earned his place on the Melbourne senior list.
He wanted all the prospective footballers hoping to hear their name called on Tuesday night to keep working even if the set-backs came, as you never knew where a small chance could take you.
“The advice from me for the young kids out there is to keep working hard and never giving up on your dreams,” Harmes said.
“The main message is to work hard, ask for advice, take everything in and be the best you can.”
Getting an early Christmas present from the club, Harmes was thrilled to gain the elevation after a standout second AFL season.
“It was really exciting news when I found out that I was going to be elevated,” Harmes said.
“It was only probably two weeks ago that (Melbourne player and personnel manager) Todd Viney called me and told me the good news and it was a little bit of a dream come true, that I’d be on the main list of an AFL club.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet as I haven’t signed any of the papers yet, but once I hear my name read out on draft night that will be great.”
He had an inkling he could gain promotion for his third AFL season after stringing together eight AFL matches throughout the last nine rounds of the season.
Getting to sing the song – the one he memorised from a young age as a passionate Demons fan – in round 16 stands out to the up-and-coming midfielder, but he also loved his best performance of the year against Greater Western Sydney as he booted two goals and stamping his name on the match.
“Took a while to get used to the speed and different physicality out there, but in the last round I played my style of footy and did whatever I wanted,” Harmes said.
“I think after my last game I proved myself, that was probably my best games at AFL level and proved to the coaches I was ready to play next year and putting my hand up to be a good AFL footballer.”
But the successes of 2015 are behind him now as he focuses on his third pre-season with hopes of featuring in round one for the Demons.
“Been back for just over a week now – the first week was pretty tough but I’m getting used to it,” Harmes said.
“It’s a bit fun at the moment, but after Christmas is when the hard stuff begins.
“This being my third AFL pre-season, I know what to expect and what to do to play round one.”
