By JARROD POTTER
THE James Harmes fan club had another accolade to celebrate this week as the Devon Meadows dasher celebrated his NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
Demons fans have taken to Harmes, 20, originally from Devon Meadows, with aplomb as the hard-edged inside midfielder had it on a string in Melbourne’s huge73-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday.
Reeling in 26 possessions and five bone-rattling tackles would’ve been brilliant in anyone’s book, but Harmes ramped it up another level to boot three goals to savour the trip up north even more.
The former Dandenong Stingray’s performance was more than enough to give him the Round Seven NAB AFL Rising Star nomination – putting him into the mix for the award among the likes of another former Stingray Jacob Weitering, Bunyip’s Tom Papley and team-mate Clayton Oliver.
The rise through the ranks is starting to pay off for Harmes, having worked his way off the Demons rookie list.
He told the Cranbourne News last year getting on the rookie list didn’t stop his ambition to play in the AFL as he just needed to work harder to make the grade.
“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,” Harmes said in 2015.
“The main message is to work hard, ask for advice, take everything in and be the best you can.”
Melbourne coach Paul Roos said Harmes’ difficult path taken towards the AFL demonstrates his hard work and dedication.
“James has been working really hard to develop his craft and this nomination is good reward for his effort,” Roos said. “We know that when he plays with intensity, like he did on the weekend, he is a very valuable member of our team.”
With one of its own getting a nomination, Devon Meadows Junior Football Club, in the Frankston Districts Junior Football League, will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2500, comprising financial and practical resources, as a result of the nomination.
Harmes was recruited from the Devon Meadows Junior Football Club. He was selected in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft and was elevated to the senior list in 2015.
