EMERGING utility James Harmes says he’s determined to secure a position in the best 22 this year.
Speaking to Dee TV, Harmes said on the back of his impressive end to the 2015 season – highlighted by a fine performance against GWS in Melbourne’s round 23 win at Etihad Stadium – he is now eager to make his mark in the NAB Challenge.
“I’m feeling great. I haven’t missed a session this pre-season, so I’m really excited and I just want to improve on my performance from last year,” he said.
“I just want to lock down a position in the side, whether that’s forward, mid or maybe even down back.
“I just want to get a spot and play some consistent footy.”
Harmes said it had been “a long, but good” pre-season.
“I’m just excited to see all of the development of the young guys. [I] just [want] to play, as [I’m] feeling a bit stronger and fitter, after another pre-season under the belt,” he said.
Harmes said the energy around the club was genuinely exciting.
“We’ve got a lot of young players around the club and they’re starting to hit their straps – guys like Kenty (Dean Kent), Hoges (Jesse Hogan), Gussy (Angus Brayshaw) and Tracc (Christian Petracca) are exciting,” he said.
“It’ll be exciting to see Tracc out there this year.
“The vibe around the club is really exciting and I think it’s going to be a great year for Melbourne.”
The former rookie said he had pulled up OK after colliding with teammate Joel Smith in last Friday’s intra-club match at Casey Fields.
“I copped one in the head from Joely Smith. It’s fine though. I got glued up at Casey and got back out there. It was fine. No concussion or anything like that,” he said.
“The doc gave me the all clear to train, so it was all good.”
Harmes said there was plenty of excitement among the squad, leading into its first NAB Challenge encounter against Port Adelaide at Elizabeth.
“I’m guessing there will be a lot of nervous boys, but once you’re out there running around, you lose all the nerves and you go back to playing footy,” he said.
“It should be right – we’ll see how we go – but hopefully we get that win.
“Hopefully we can go over there and get the win in Adelaide, but it’ll just be good to be playing again.”
