Harmes on fresh start, why Dogs move was a surprise

When James Harmes entered the Whitten Oval for the first time in November, he felt uneasy. And with good cause. Before the 2021 Grand Final in Perth, games between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne have been fierce. They are not fond of one another.

Usually, Harmes was in the heart of the conflict, attempting to divert Marcus Bontempelli’s attention or get under Tom Liberatore’s skin. Since the trade was done, many Bulldogs have laughed at how those memories have faded but not disappeared.

The 28-year-old recalls a particularly cordial encounter at Marvel Stadium during a game that was played in secret in 2021 during the pandemic. He was taking abuse from everyone and tagging Liberatore. A few months later, they attacked him once more at the MCG in front of no one. Later in the year in the west, Harmes contributed to the end of the Demons’ 57-year premiership drought.

After the Victorian was sold to the Bulldogs in October of last year’s Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period for a potential third-round choice, Harmes and Liberatore are now teammates I’ve always thought highly of ‘Libba’. I’m happy that we are now on the same team. Since I came here, he has been fantastic. We simply grinned and exchanged glances, realizing that we had formerly enjoyed some enjoyable rivalries. To be honest though, I was apprehensive about entering because I wasn’t sure if the males would like me. I was a little reticent the first few weeks, but things have quickly returned to normal.”

The last place Harmes expected to wind up was with the Western Bulldogs. He had two years left on his contract when Essendon made a bid for him at the end of 2022, but Melbourne wouldn’t let him leave. Following the hiring of former Demons midfield coach Adem Yze at Punt Road last year, Richmond also expressed interest.

However, the decision made sense for all parties when Harmes and his management, Tim Hazell from Vivid Sport, met with Dogs list manager Sam Power and head coach Luke Beveridge in October. And now it makes even more logic.

Harmes needed a fresh start at the end of the previous season, having played 152 games during a ten-year span at Melbourne. That winter was really hard. He lost favor with the Demons and his passion for the game. But this summer, he has rediscovering the enthusiasm as he prepares for a round one matchup with the team he recently departed on March 17. Coming here was funny; I recall that during most of the Doggies’ games, there were always exchanges of words. I have made several tags and back and forth passes using ‘Libba’. I recall a 2021 game where it was just the two of us going head to head at Marvel without any fans in the stands. Regarding the Western Bulldogs’ preseason camp at Mooloolaba, Harmes told AFL.com.au, “It was on.””I never imagined that I would be here. Not because I didn’t want to come here, but more since I didn’t talk to the Bulldogs at all until the Trade Period began last year, they would have been the final team on the list. It was late,” Harmes remarked.

When they approached my manager, I was taken aback. Timmy called to let me know how excited the Dogs were. It seemed perfect to sit down with Sammy Power and Bevo. Even though the interview was only scheduled to last an hour, we ended up staying at Bevo’s place for over two hours.

“Bevo seemed to have a lot of faith in my ability to play quality football again, which is likely what I didn’t have last year. Even though I was playing excellent football at the VFL level, I felt as though the coaches didn’t have much faith in me and I lost a lot of confidence. “Halfway through the previous year,  Harmes realized he needed a change. Prior to taking a mental health sabbatical in 2023, he participated in the first two games of the season after being a regular from 2016 to 2022. With his return, things were different. He was forced out of the team and only managed to make seven more senior appearances for Casey in the VFL, three of which were as a substitute. Football had become a drudgery and had ceased to be pleasurable. It was hard to go to the club every day. At the end of the season, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin made the right decision by telling him to look into starting over in order to revitalize his career. “I found going into Melbourne every day to be really tedious. It had more to do with me and my situation in life than it did with the lads, the coaches, or the club. I had been going to the same spot there for ten years. “I believe that starting over was exactly what I needed,” he said.” I needed to take a brief vacation from football. Even though I had played the first two games, I wasn’t having fun. Even when I was in the ones, going in was still difficult for me. I simply wasn’t feeling well and thought I should take a break from the game. That gave me a lot of relief and renewed energy. The coaches seemed to have somewhat lost faith in me after my return, despite the Dees’ unwavering backing. I recall playing well as a substitute against Gold Coast, receiving a COVID, and having strong form at the VFL level before being dropped once more. It was a blow to confidence each time.”For six months, I truly didn’t enjoy playing football. Most days, I found going in to be a grind. They could tell at the end of the year that I was desperate to leave. I get along great with ‘Goody,’ and he even suggested that your footy would be better off going to look about.”Since quitting the game in April of last year, Harmes has dedicated a significant amount of time to his mental well-being. He wouldn’t have been amenable to seeing a psychologist early in his career for a good-time guy from Devon Meadows. That is no longer the case. And it has had a significant effect. “I learned a lot that year, but I didn’t reach the point where I needed a break from football. My career will present additional problems, so I must learn to overcome them. Unlike in the past when I would have been ashamed about seeing a psychiatrist, I don’t feel uncomfortable about it today. I firmly believe that I am in a better place mentally than I was in the past,” he declared.

“My playing style, training habits, and general well-being are all impacted when I’m not in a good mental or joyful place. All that matters is remaining vigilant and asking for assistance when required. The stigma, in my opinion, has lessened in the last ten years. Everyone has some sort of hardship. I’m looking forward to this year since I felt lot better this year than I did last, even though I still managed to perform despite not being in the best of mental health.”

Sometimes a change is just as beneficial as a vacation. At this stage of his career, Harmes has found newfound energy in shifting surroundings.

“The initial weeks resemble enrolling in a new school. Although there are many similarities between the program and myself, I feel more energised now that I’ve met new people, seen new faces, and found my place in the group “he stated.

“I spent ten years at the Dees starting at the age of eighteen; it was my entire life.” In contrast to the Dees, where I felt like I had to fit in by being the humorous person, here I’ve taken a step back and attempted to blend in quietly. Learning new terms, game mechanics, and game plans has been beneficial.”

With the Dogs, Harmes has earned a spot in his first preseason. After getting COVID-19 at his wedding shortly before the first day of the group, Harmes was a sluggish starter, but from the beginning of January, he has had an impact on the group.

In the club’s intraclub in Maroochydore last Thursday, he scored four goals in hot, humid, and rainy conditions, showcasing his ability to complement a packed red, white, and blue midfield that will also feature pick No. 6 Ryley Sanders.

With the Dogs, Harmes has earned a spot in his first preseason. After getting COVID-19 at his wedding shortly before the first day of the group, Harmes was a sluggish starter, but from the beginning of January, he has had an impact on the group.

In the club’s intraclub in Maroochydore last Thursday, he scored four goals in hot, humid, and rainy conditions, showcasing his ability to complement a packed red, white, and blue midfield that will also feature pick No. 6 Ryley Sanders.