AFL trade period: James Harmes encouraged to explore options in off-season

A contracted flag hero’s future is uncertain after Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin encouraged them to assess the market in the upcoming trade period.

James Harmes of the Demons during Melbournes training session at Casey Fields, Cranbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

James Harmes is continuing to consider his trade options as he eyes a potential exit from Melbourne. 

Harmes, 27, has one year remaining on his Demons contract but said he had been encouraged by club figures including coach Simon Goodwin to assess the market at his recent exit meeting. 

And he has been doing just that, meeting with a number of clubs with further talks to be held in coming days. 

“Honestly, at the moment, it’s all up in the air a bit,” Harmes said.

“I had my exit meeting and it all went really smoothly. And Melbourne and Goody and (list boss) Tim Lamb were happy for me to explore my options. My manager’s doing that at the moment. 

“To be honest with you, I’m just letting my manager take care of that and if I’m back at Melbourne next year, I’m back there. But I’ll just let him deal with all that.

James Harmes has a big off-season ahead of him. Picture: Michael Klein

“(I haven’t) officially requested a trade as of yet. They were happy for me to go out and have a look, so that’s what we’re doing. I’m guessing over the next week or so, it will probably ramp up a bit.”

Harmes, who has played 152 games at Melbourne since 2015, said this season had proven to be “a pretty tough year for me personally”. 

He played just nine senior games and said he had expressed a desire for “a fresh start”. 

“I probably didn’t play the footy I wanted to play and that’s why I was back in the VFL,” he said at the TAB Spring Fling event in Melbourne on Tuesday.

“I’m just really looking forward to putting my best foot forward next year, whether that’s at Melbourne or where that is, playing the best football I can. 

“I’ve got a real determination to go back as fit as I can and play some really good footy, wherever that is.”

Harmes is open to moving interstate if required. 

Melbourne teammate Brodie Grundy has fallen out of favour at the Demons and is hunting a new home, with Harmes saying he “definitely” has sympathy for the ruck after just one year at the club. 

Brodie Grundy chats with Harmes after winning a VFL match. Picture: Getty Images

“Brodie and I actually became really close at the end of the year,” Harmes said. 

“I definitely feel for Brodie. It’s obviously tough just moving clubs (once) and he’s going to have to do it again. 

“The way he’s handled himself has been incredible, and I’m looking forward to him having a really good crack at it next year and hopefully playing some really good footy.”

He said he didn’t consider Grundy’s recruitment this time last year as a “mistake” by the Demons. 

“Goody and the club experimented it. Gawny (Max Gawn) is probably the best ruckman in the league, and Brodie’s not far behind him,” he said. 

“At training, seeing Brodie take Gawny on (was amazing) … I don’t think it was a mistake, Melbourne bringing him into the club. It just didn’t work out.”

Originally published as AFL trade period: James Harmes encouraged to explore options in off-season