IN MELBOURNE’S final match of the 2015 season, James Harmes played his best AFL match.

It wasn’t a 30-plus disposal performance or five goals; he had 16 touches and kicked two goals. But it was his tough, hard-at-it style that suggested this kid had plenty to offer at the highest level. His liveliness and bubble that he displayed was infectious that day.

On Saturday at Metricon Stadium, Harmes played undoubtedly his best AFL game to date with 26 disposals and three goals.

In his words, it was his breakout game.

“It’s probably been a while [coming] and I’m finally glad that I’ve had a breakout game. It was probably my best game, but it was a great game for the boys,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“I’ve been trying to work on a few things … and I managed to kick a few [goals], so that was good. It’s exciting, knowing that I can actually do it. It just builds the confidence a little bit, so hopefully I can take that into next week and keep my form up. It’s good to know that I can play good AFL footy.

“I had to earn my spot and work pretty hard to get into the AFL, so every time I go out there, I just try to do my best and play my role for the team. I think I did that and it was great to get the win.”

Harmes started the game with a bang against the Suns.

He had an incredible 14 touches in the first term.

If you were asked pre-match who would’ve had that many disposals in the first term of a Melbourne and Gold Coast clash, you would’ve said either G.Ablett or N.Jones.

Instead, it was the 20-year-old in his 15^th AFL game. 

“It’s actually quite funny, because at some stages I was quite knackered, but the ball still came to me,” Harmes said about his opening quarter.

“I think it was just a bit of luck actually, because the ball kept coming back to me.

“I’ve been working on getting to contests, which is my game – from contest to contest. It paid off for me and hopefully I can keep this form up.”

But it wasn’t just Harmes who had a breakout game.

If Josh Wagner hadn’t showed his promise in his just his second AFL game against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in round two, then he reinforced in his native state.

His run down tackle on Ablett, one of the game’s greatest players, typified his effort and his side on the night.

Jayden Hunt also played his best game yet. His numbers were good, without being great.

His breakaway pace and ability to rebound was evident.

He looms as an integral part of Melbourne’s side long term and offers a point of difference Melbourne has been looking to add to its mix.

The performance of Triple J – James, Jayden and Josh – has been just another reason for Melbourne’s improvement this season.

And although he mightn’t fit in ‘The J Files’, Christian Petracca certainly gave a genuine indication of why he is rated so highly, winning 24 touches in just his second game.

Coach Paul Roos said Petracca displayed the traits that many were looking forward to see in just his second match. 

“Christian showed his talent and continued to work really hard and that was the key to his game,” he said.

“The fact that he worked hard and made some really good tackles and went back to ball at times and won his own football – I thought he did play a good game.”

Overall, the efforts of CP and The J Files were one of the highlights to emerge from Melbourne’s 73-point win over the Suns.

They reinforced the talent and excitement that’s coming through the club. And it's also a big tick to Melbourne's recruiting and development team.

It also showed that Melbourne was increasing its usual mix of players among its best each week, as Harmes highlighted.

“Gawny (Max Gawn) was a great contributor to our win, and so was [Jack] Viney and Chunk (Nathan Jones), but I really liked Wags and Hunty off half-back,” he said.

“Hunty’s speed was unreal and it’s great to see him building his confidence and use his legs and run. With Wags, I just love it when he gets the ball, because you know that he’ll use it.

“Definitely Gawny, Vines and Chunk were good, but I thought those two (Hunt and Wagner) were really good.”

It highlights the progression that’s been made – even in just seven rounds.