Wayne Harmes: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 13:34, 20 March 2026

Career : 1977 - 1988
Debut : Round 18, 1977 vs Melbourne, aged 17 years, 171 days
Carlton Player No. 870
Games : 169
Goals : 86
Last Game : Round 17, 1988 vs Richmond, aged 28 years, 165 days
Guernsey Nos. 54 (1977) & 37 (1978-88)
Height : 177 cm (5 ft. 9½ in.)
Weight : 85 kg (13 stone, 5 lbs.)
DOB : February 9,1960
Premiership Player 1979, 1981, 1982
Norm Smith Medal 1979
Victorian Representative : 1979, 1986
Carlton Hall of Fame (2000)

In the tradition of his predecessors Fred Stafford and Ted Hopkins, Wayne Harmes will forever be remembered for an inspirational passage of play in Carlton’s 1979 Grand Final victory over Collingwood. On that cold and wet Saturday afternoon before 112,000 fans at the MCG, the Blues led by 19 points when the final quarter began and the Magpies launched a spirited resurgence. In 20 minutes of hard, energy-sapping football, Collingwood clawed their way to within a kick of the Blues approaching time-on, and were threatening to snatch victory.

Enter Wayne Harmes – Carlton’s dynamic back pocket, who had been switched into the midfield as Carlton’s lead diminished. Gathering the ball at half-forward, Wayne went for a long kick - only to see the ball slew off his boot and skid toward the boundary in Carlton’s right forward pocket. Instantly, he wheeled and chased, then dived as the ball seemed certain to roll over the line. With a desperate round-arm swipe, he knocked the Sherrin 20 metres across to the goal square, where rover Ken Sheldon gleefully goaled to win another flag for the Navy Blues.

That moment capped a fabulous day for Harmes. Judged Best on Ground, he was awarded the inaugural Norm Smith Medal, which incidentally had been founded in honour of his own great-uncle, the legendary Melbourne coach. Fearless, tough and a superb big-match performer, Harmes was born to play League football. As a youngster, he had often carried his grandfather Len Smith’s famous Gladstone bag into training and match days at Fitzroy and Richmond, where his burning desire to play League football was stoked. In 1975, he was aged just 15 when he was invited to join Carlton’s Under 19 squad from his junior club Oak Park, after originally playing for Batman.

Harmes’ potential became clear in 1976, when he was voted Under-19 Best and Fairest and finished third in the competition’s top honour, the Morrish Medal. During that season’s final series, he won the Sun newspaper’s Sunkick competition, averaging a remarkable 69 metres with each of his kicks on his preferred right foot. Promoted to the Reserves side in 1977, he soon had the Carlton Match Committee smiling and it was only a matter of time before he was called into the Blues’ senior side. Although only 177 cm tall, Harmes’ barrel chest and solid legs saw him tip the scales at 85 kg. He was deceptively quick for his build, an often spectacular high mark because of his remarkable spring, and he loved bursting through packs to set up play at both ends of the ground.

In round 18, 1977 – a few weeks after his seventeenth birthday - Wayne made his senior debut in guernsey number 54 against Melbourne at VFL Park. He didn’t get much of an opportunity to strut his stuff, because Carlton dominated the contest from the opening bounce to win by 67 points, and Harmes sat on the bench until very late. However, busier days weren’t far away.

In 1978, Wayne switched to number 37 and played his first full game against Richmond in round one, when he was selected on a wing alongside Barry Armstrong and Ray Byrne. Carlton was pulverised on that hectic afternoon, and although Harmes kicked his first career goal, the Blues went down by 77 points in a record score by the Tigers. Seven days later things got worse when Geelong beat the Blues at Princes Park, but Carlton fans were thrilled when the bustling teenager – in just his third senior game – was sent into the centre by his coach Ian Stewart to play on Cats’ star David Clarke. Showing remarkable maturity and a hunger for the football, Wayne racked up 28 disposals and 9 marks to be clearly Best on Ground.

In September of that year, Harmes played his first finals match when Carlton and Geelong met again in the Elimination Final at VFL Park. Wayne had settled into a back pocket by then, combining creatively with star full-back Geoff Southby. This time, the Blues came out on top, only to lose the following weekend’s Semi Final to Collingwood and bow out of contention.

By 1979, Harmes was a rising star of the VFL competition. In a stellar year, he didn’t miss a match for the Blues, and his Grand Final heroics made him a household name. After finishing second to his captain Mike Fitzpatrick in voting for Carlton’s Best and Fairest, Wayne was selected to represent Victoria in the October State of Origin Carnival in Perth. However, during the first few minutes of the Vics’ opening match against South Australia, he was kneed in the back in a marking contest and suffered a chipped vertebrae in his spine. Idle for 12 weeks as a consequence, he was a late starter in 1980 and played only 11 matches over the season.

Injury again delayed Harmes’ progress in 1981, but as Carlton gained momentum under their new coach David Parkin, Wayne tuned up for the finals by kicking four goals from the centre against North Melbourne in round 21 at Waverley. A month later, Harmes collected his second Premiership medal when the Blues continued Collingwood’s September misery, beating their traditional rivals by 20 points in yet another hard-fought Grand Final. On a half-back flank, Harmes was a solid performer in a watertight defence led by champions Southby and Bruce Doull. Then came 1982, and Carlton’s third flag in four years. This time it was Richmond who were vanquished in a record-breaking Grand Final by a gutsy Blues outfit playing their fourth cut-throat final in as many weeks. Harmes started on a wing, and was then given the role in defence against Kevin Bartlett, and was among Carlton’s stars in a glorious victory against the odds.

In round 15, 1983, Wayne brought up his 100-game milestone when Carlton suffered a shock loss to Melbourne at Princes Park, although by then his style of play had begun manifesting itself in a string of soft tissue injuries. Always wary of his weight, he found it difficult to stay in peak shape with the enforced layoffs, leading to a tapering off of his performances in 1984 and ’85. However, realising that his career was in danger of fizzling out, Harmes attacked his pre-season training in 1986 with renewed endeavour, and it paid off. By May of that year, his form was so good that the Victorian state selectors didn’t hesitate to call him into the team for matches against South Australia and Western Australia. In September, he was included in the VFL Coaches Association’s Team of the Year, before Carlton battled through to another Grand Final – only to be outclassed by one of the great Hawthorn sides. Stationed deep in defence for most of that afternoon, Harmes battled hard to collect 17 disposals and 4 marks as the Blues were demolished by 42 points.

That was to be Wayne’s fourth and last Grand Final appearance, because the ever-increasing physical demands of elite level football took their toll in 1987 and he didn’t play a senior game. Instead, despite a persistent groin strain that prevented him from stringing a run of games together, he lent his leadership skills to Carlton’s Reserves team as vice-captain to Jim Buckley - guiding the Blues’ youngsters to an upset Grand Final victory over St Kilda.

Back close to full fitness in 1988, Harmes played six of the first nine games before his groin problem flared again. He soldiered on and came off the bench for a brief run when Carlton thrashed Richmond at Princes Park in round 17, before accepting medical advice and announcing his retirement from the VFL. He wasn’t finished altogether however, and in 1989 he signed to play at VFA club Brunswick with his Premiership team-mate Warren 'Wow' Jones. From then on, over the next 20 seasons he played and coached at a long list of suburban and country clubs, including Oak Park, Kilmore, Airport West, Thierry-Penola, Old Scotch and Templestowe.

Fondly remembered as a loyal, committed clubman, Wayne Victor Harmes was elected to the Carlton Hall of Fame in 2000.

Footnotes

As well as number 54, Harmes also wore nos. 39 and 50 while playing Reserve grade football for Carlton in 1976.

Wayne’s second cousin; Peter Smith (son of Melbourne Football Club legend Norm Smith) played 15 matches for Carlton between 1968 and 1970.

Milestones

100 Games - Round 15, 1983 vs Melbourne
150 Games - Round 17, 1986 vs Essendon

Career Highlights

1975 - U/19's 3rd Best & Fairest
1976 - U/19's Best & Fairest
1976 - U/19's Ladies Trophy Winner
1976 - 3rd in the Morrish Medal (Under 19 Best & Fairest)
1976 – Sunkick winner
1979 – Premiership Player
1979 – Norm Smith Medal
1979 – Victorian Representative
1979 - Arthur Rayment Memorial Trophy - 2nd Best & Fairest
1979 - Sun All-Star team for 1979 (position- Centre)
1981 – Premiership Player
1982 – Premiership Player
1983 - Night Premiership Player
1986 – Victorian Representative
1986 – VFL Coaches Association Team of the Year
1986 - Best Clubman Award
1987 - Reserves Premiership Player

Video

Links

Articles: The BIG Numbers | Carlton's controversial finishes

Blueseum: Stat Shot for Wayne Harmes | Career Breakdown for Wayne Harmes

Gallery

1982 - Wayne Harmes (Scanlens Footy Card).
1979 - Wayne Harmes.
1979 - Wayne Harmes (Scanlens Footy Card).
Wayne Harmes marks over Bruce Doull and Michael Tuck.
1984 - Wayne Harmes (Scanlens Footy Card).
1986 - Wayne Harmes (Scanlens Footy Card).
1979 Rd 18 - Wayne Harmes on the burst.
Wayne Harmes marks over Bruce Doull and Michael Tuck.
Wayne Harmes.jpg
W. Harmes.jpg
1981 - Wayne Harmes (Scanlens Footy Card).
Harmes -81
Wayne Harmes Mark 1st Semi 1980
1982 2nd Semi Wayne Harmes.
1982 GF Wayne Harmes marks strongly.
1982 Rd 15 Harmes & Buckley chases loose ball Vs Demons.
1981 Rd 10 Harmes marks.
1982 Harmes article.
1980 Wayne Harmes badge.
1980 Rd 8 Harmes collects footy Vs Tigers.
1980 1st Semi Harmes takes a big grab at back of pack.
1981 Harmes cartoon.
1979 Harmes Vs Hawks.
1978 - Snippet on first year player Wayne Harmes 31/08/78.
1978 Rd 22 - Harmes breaks away from Duperouzel.
1978 1st Semi - Harmes battles with Carmen & Doull pins down Dunne.
1983 Rd 1 - Harmes marks strongly over R.Brown.
1983 Rd 20 - Wayne Harmes about to brush off Russell Greene.
1987 - Wayne Harmes to have surgery (11/03/87).
1987 - Ten best recruits from 1977 (11/03/77).
1987 - Wayne Harmes article (08/05/87).
1987 - Harmes & Sartori back in for Swans game? (05/08/87).
W Harmes v Richmond.jpgOriginally provided as Harmes circa 1979, this picture is clearly dated after that given Harmes' beard. Best estimates are 1982/1983.
1987 Reserves GF - Wayne Harmes breaks away.
1987 Reserves GF Match Review.
Old Scotch coach Wayne Harmes.
WEG GF Poster - 1982 GF Wayne Harmes.
Wayne Harmes envelope.
1979 Rd 20 - Robbert Klomp & Wayne Harmes about to collect the footy.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes wins the Norm Smith medal.
1979 GF - Play of the day; Harmes to Sheldon.
1980 Rd 6 - Wayne Harmes about to fire off a handpass.
1980 - Harmes & McConville play 50 games (23/08/80).
1980 - Wayne Harmes's favorite group (16/08/80).
1978 Rd 17 - Wayne Harmes takes a big pack grab.
1984 - Wayne Harmes profile (12/05/84).
1984 - Blues Bad Taste Night (23/08/84).
1984 Rd 21 - Wayne Harmes is tackled.
1985 Rd 4 - Wayne Harmes is knocked out in head clash.
1985 Rd 7 - Wayne Harmes takes a saving mark.
1985 Rd 8 - Wayne Harmes takes a strong mark.
1985 Rd 16 - Wayne Harmes charging downfield.
1985 Rd 17 - Sheedy interested in Harmes.
1985 Rd 19 - Harmes hits top form (15/08/85).
1985 Elim. Final - Harmes marks in a pack.
1981 - Wayne Harmes Interview (25/04/81).
1981 Rd 10 - Wayne Harmes breaks Buhagier's tackle.
1981 Rd 10 - Wayne Harmes & Des English.
1981 Rd 10 - Wayne Harmes collects the loose footy.
1981 - Wayne in harm's way (01/08/81).
1982 - Wayne Harmes at Footy Clinic (15/05/82).
1982 - Wayne Harmes the boxing referee (29/05/82).
1982 - Wayne Harmes Advert.
1983 Rd 12 - Wayne Harmes marks strongly.
1983 Rd 13 - Wayne Harmes plays 100th game.
1986 Rd 15 - Wayne Harmes BOG.
1986 Rd 17 - Wayne Harmes plays 150th game.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes Norm Smith Medalist.
1979 - Wayne Harmes.
1979 - Wayne Harmes at Brownlow count.
1979 Rd 2 - Hurricane Harmes.
1980 1st Semi - Wayne Harmes takes a big grab.
1981 - Wayne Harmes Advert.
1981 - Wayne Harmes.
1979 GF - The Match Defining Moment.
1971 Rd 10 - Wayne Harmes stars for Nth Melb. Little League.Source: Footy Week.
Wayne Harmes
1986 - Wayne Harmes is not for sale (08/05/86).Inside Football
1986 - Wayne Harmes in Big V Squad (10/07/86).Pic: Inside Football.
1986 Rd 17 - Harmes massive handball.Inside Football.
1986 - Wayne Harmes article (14/08/86) page 2 of 2.Inside Football.
1986 - Wayne Harmes article (14/08/86) page 1 of 2.Inside Football.
1986 - Harmes' black eyes (21/08/86).Inside Football.
1986 Qual. Final - Dean & Harmes fly against two Swans.Pic: Inside Football.
1986 GF - Harmes & Greene battle it out.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 - Is Harmes next? (13/04/88).Inside Football.
1988 - Harmes washed up? (10/04/88).Inside Football.
1988 - Harmes to stay (11/05/88).Inside Football.
1988 - Harmes in line for senior selection (18/05/88).Inside Football.
1988 Rd 9 - Walls quote on moving Harmes to full-forward.Inside Football.
1984 Qual. Final - Wayne Harmes.Pic: Football Record.
1989 - Wayne Harmes bows out (27/03/89).Inside Football.
1991 - Wayne Harmes to coach Kilmore FC (Nov 91).Inside Football.
1980 - Wayne Harmes.1980 Team Poster.
1995 Interview with Wayne Harmes (08/09/95).Pic: Football Record.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes: Norm Smith Medalist.
1979 GF - Harmes BOG in GF.
1979 GF - Harmes leads Carlton to Flag.
1982 - Wayne Harmes Profile.Pic: Blues News.
1982 GF - Harmes drinks from the cup as Ian Rice watches.Pic: Blues News.
1978 - Wayne Harmes.1978 Team Photo.
1982 GF Wayne Harmes marks over Bartlett.
1982 GF - Snippett on Wayne Harmes mark over Bartlett.
1981 GF - Wayne Harmes takes a screamer.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes going to collect the Norm Smith.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes about to collect the Norm Smith.
1986 Rd 19 - Wayne Harmes on the charge.
1985 Rd 17 - Wayne Harmes flies for a speccie.
Wayne Harmes: Grand Final Hero (25/09/99).
1979 GF - Harmes about to keep the ball alive.
1979 GF - Ken Sheldon Interview.
Wayne Harmes.
1982 GF - Harmes supports a flattened Bosustow.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes: Great GF Moments.
1976 Morrish Medal - Harmes 3rd place & Bortolotto 4th.
1976 Sunkick Comp. - Wayne Harmes.
1978 Rd 17 - Wayne Harmes takes a screamer.
1978 1st Semi - Wayne Harmes spoils Twiggy Dunne.
1979 - Harmes runner up in Cazaly Award & Jezza best Captain.
1979 - Wayne 'Harms' them.
1979 Rd 18 - Wayne Harmes on the burst.
1980 Qual. Final - Footy Record Cover.
1980 1st Semi - Wayne Harmes takes a screamer.
1981 - Wayne Harmes interview.
1982 2nd Semi Final - Footy Record Cover.
1982 Prelim. Final - Footy Record Cover.
1983 Elim Final - Wayne Harmes.
1984 - Wayne Harmes article.
1986 - Wayne Harmes profile.
Wayne Harmes.
2002 - Wayne Harmes to coach Templestowe (Dec 02).
Congratulations! Wayne Harmes Wins 1979 Norm Smith MedalNote: Harmes was presented with his medal by Mrs Marj Smith - his grand aunt, and widow of legendary Melbourne coach Norm Smith.
1979 GF Harmes Breaks Away
1979 GF Harmes Spoils Magpie Ron Wearmouth
$1979 Grand Final Wayne Harmes\' Moment Of GloryTaken in the dying minutes of the 1979 Grand Final against Collingwood, this photograph captured the moment Wayne Harmes set up victory with a brilliant individual effort. Image courtesy of The Age newspaper.$

1979 Grand Final Wayne Harmes\' Moment Of GloryTaken in the dying minutes of the 1979 Grand Final against Collingwood, this photograph captured the moment Wayne Harmes set up victory with a brilliant individual effort. Image courtesy of The Age newspaper.
Des English & Wayne Harmes In The 1982 Grand Final ParadeImage courtesy of Emil Govic.
1982 - Wayne Harmes kicks long.jpgEdited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
1979 Grand Final Wayne Harmes The Hero
Wayne Harmes Caricature 1979
Wayne Harmes Early Days At Carlton
1979 GF Wayne Harmes Norm Smith MedalistImage courtesy of The Age newspaper.
1986 - Wayne Harmes in the Big V.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes sketch.
Wayne 'Hurricane' Harmes.
1979 - Hurricane Harmes supporter.
1979 Rd 21 - Harmes flies for a grab.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes about to drive the ball long.
1984 Rd 20 - English and Harmes battle for the football.
1984 Rd 19 - Wayne Harmes gets a clearing kick.
1979 GF - Wayne Harmes.
1983 Bushfire Game; Harmes and Sloan ready to pounce.
1982 GF - Wayne Harmes interview.The Kevin McNair Collection
1981 GF - Harmes & Sheldon with the fans / media.
1981 GF - Wayne Harmes receives premiership medal.
1979 Rd 18 - Wayne Harmes clashes with Xavier Tanner.
1978 Rd 3 - Wayne Harmes.
1980 1st Semi - Geoff Southby & Wayne Harmes spoil Craig Davis.
2017 - Wayne Harmes article.
1983 Bushfire Game; Wayne Harmes shoots for goal.
1982 GF - Motorcade; Ken Sheldon & Wayne Harmes.
1978 1st Semi - A dejected Mark Maclure & Wayne Harmes after the loss.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Harmes spoils Ronnie Wearmouth.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Harmes spoils Ronnie Wearmouth.
1979 Rd 14 - Wayne Harmes.
Wayne Harmes.
1982 Grand Final Team lines up for National Anthem.
2019 - 1979 Grand Final Reunion Celebrations.
Wayne Harmes duffle coat.
1981 Night Game; Wayne Harmes takes a customary pack mark.
1979 Grand Final - Harmes tells.
1979 Grand Final - Harmes. Johnston & McKay in pursuit of the footy.
1978 Rd 17 - Wayne Harmes marks over John Hendrie & Rod Austin.
1979 Grand Final - Jimmy Buckley is tackled watched by Harmes & Armstrong
1982 Grand Final – 1982 GF – Ross Ditchburn congratulates Wayne Harmes after kicking the second goal of the game.
1982 Rd 14 - Wayne Harmes & Brendan Hartney.
1979 Grand Final – Maclure pats Harmes on the back after setting up winning goal.
1979 Grand Final - Wayne Harmes in a marking contest.
1979 - Wayne Harmes at training.
2022 - Bruce Doull quote on Wayne Harmes.
1982 Rd 21 - Wayne Harmes marks strongly.
1982 Rd 18 - Match Votes.
Wayne Harmes training guernsey.
Wayne Harmes guernsey.
Wayne Harmes & Mario Bortolotto with a supporter.
1982 Grand Final Parade - Sheldon & Harmes.
1978 - Wayne Harmes.
1979 - Wayne Harmes at the Cazaly Awards.
1980 Rd 18 Wayne Harmes

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-'''Articles:''' [[The BIG Numbers]] | [tiki-read_article.php?articleId=94|Carlton's controversial finishes]<br>
+'''Articles:''' [[The BIG Numbers]] | [[And there was controversy when...|Carlton's controversial finishes]]<br>
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 '''Blueseum:''' [[Stat Shot: W Harmes|Stat Shot for Wayne Harmes]] | [[Breakdown: W Harmes|Career Breakdown for Wayne Harmes]] <br>
 ===Gallery===
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