FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

By LIAM DURKIN

 

THE worst-kept secret in local footy was confirmed last week, after Moe announced the signing of Melbourne premiership player James Harmes.

The Lions officially secured Harmes last Friday (February 20) following a frantic 24 hours.

Harmes, who walked away from the Western Bulldogs with a year to run on his AFL contract, was linked to home club Devon Meadows, before agreeing to play in Gippsland.

Speculation of Harmes coming to Moe started a fortnight ago shortly after he announced his AFL retirement.

He is best mates with new Moe recruit Blake Mullane, played with former Moe coach Declan Keilty at Melbourne, and has connections to Moe through the Gelagotis racing stable.

Harmes also visited Moe a number of times when Melbourne teammate and mentor Bernie Vince played for the Lions during the 2019 season.

It is understood Harmes, 30, was encouraged by Vince to play for Moe to escape the rat race of metro footy.

As they say, timing is everything. Harmes was announced on the same day Dustin Martin was reported to have signed with Murray River-based club Yarrawonga, offering Moe a perfect distraction.

In a slightly humorous coincidence, Devon Meadows Football-Netball Club also had its club golf day last Friday.

News of the Harmes development would have undoubtedly made for a less enjoyable round, and the amount of alcohol consumed likely contributed to some tense comments online.

While adding a player of Harmes’ experience (174 AFL games) will boost the Lions’ premiership credentials, there will be challenges that come with landing such a big fish.

Moe playing-coach Leigh Poholke will have little choice but to drop himself when everyone is available, as player points will be maxed out.

Harmes will attract the maximum six points, while fellow recruits Mullane and Riley D’Arcy are three pointers.

The Lions also have ex-AFL players Ben Crocker (five points) and Myles Poholke (two) coming into their second year at Moe, along with imports Nathan Scagliarini, Alex Dijkstra and Aaron Paxton who are all still worth more than one point.

Local players Keilty, Brock Smith and Harry Pepper take the number of Moe players with AFL experience to six.

Former Warragul coach and Yarram local Jed Lamb, himself an ex-AFL player, perhaps summed up the feelings of many at the weekend, commenting on the Leader Local Footy post running the Harmes story online:

“This is beyond a joke now.”