James Harmes claims Rising Star nomination for Round 4 after setting personal records in Melbourne’s win

JAMES Harmes uses two statistical barometers — contested ball and tackles — and when they are high the young Demon says he plays well.

James Harmes is the Round 4 Rising Star nomination. Picture: AAP

JAMES Harmes uses two statistical barometers — contested ball and tackles.

When they are high Harmes says he plays well, and a career-best 11 inside possessions against Gold Coast helped the young Melbourne forward win the Round 7 Rising Star nomination last night.

Harmes set personal records for disposals and goals against the Suns, with three majors from 28 touches.

Melbourne players have earned four of the past 22 Rising Star nominations, starting with last year’s overall winner Jesse Hogan.

Harmes has had to overcome a punctured lung and work his way off the rookie list.

“I’ve had to work pretty hard to get to where I am today,’’ he said.

“I’ve finally understood what makes me a good player, which is winning contested ball, getting to as many contests as I can and to lay tackles.

“When I go away from winning contested ball and sit on the outside I don’t usually play as well.

“So when I bring my intensity and am laying tackles then I’m usually playing pretty good footy.”

James Harmes is the Round 4 Rising Star nomination. Picture: AAP

Harmes has been a staple in coach Paul Roos’ side since debuting in Round 15 last year and his three majors contributed to his 125 SuperCoach points as Melbourne booted its biggest score since 2004.

Harmes attributed the Demons’ new-found attacking flair — they have kicked 100 points four times this season after doing so just eight times in the previous four years — to incoming coach Simon Goodwin.

“He’s a really good coach,” Harmes, 20, said.

“He’s come in and he’s the mastermind behind a lot of our offensive style and the way we play, so I think he’ll slide right in and it’ll be a pretty smooth transition (from Roos next year).”

Originally published as James Harmes claims Rising Star nomination for Round 4 after setting personal records in Melbourne’s win