SEN Chief Sports Reporter Sam Edmund says Essendon’s move for contracted Demon James Harmes failed after he was unable to meet coach Brad Scott over the weekend.
Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary reported on Monday night that the Bombers were showing interest in Harmes, who played 21 games for Melbourne this year.
Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb confirmed on AFL Trade Radio that Harmes would not be departing the club, with Edmund saying Scott not being available to meet was a “critical” point where the deal collapsed.
“He is not banging down the door to get out but he just wants some more midfield minutes,” he said on Trade Afternoons.
“He told Melbourne he was going to look around and the club gave him his blessing, he then met a familiar face at Essendon in Josh Mahoney and they met a few days ago.
“Critically, new coach Brad Scott was unavailable over the weekend so Harmes couldn’t get in front of the coach, which I would have thought was pretty important.
“In this case, it turned out to be particularly important. He’s a premiership player, a contracted player and someone Melbourne weren’t pushing out by any imagination.
“That small delay (in not being about to meet Brad Scott) saw (Melbourne) shut it down.
“It appears that the ship has sailed. But in another time and place, I think that trade could have happened.”
Harmes remains contracted to Melbourne until the end of 2024.