Moe Lions Football Club is thrilled to secure the services of recently retired AFL premiership player James Harmes, although they were shocked to receive his call.
The Lions told Zero Hanger that Harmes will play a pivotal part on the field, as well as help develop the emerging youth at the club.
"He is so at peace and is really looking forward to playing local footy and giving back," Moe coach Leigh Poholke said.
"I know of James, I met him a few times, but his mates with Blake Mullan.
"James and I linked up, and he's handled the whole situation professionally, which is no surprise. It's been a process, maybe a month or three weeks.
"You can't dream up a situation like this where a connection to a player you just happen to recruit."
Harmes has a link to the Gippsland League club, having attended training in 2019 while former teammate Bernie Vince was playing.
The 2021 premiership player will also link up with former Pie Ben Crocker.
Polholke, despite being only one season in the senior coaching position, labelled the club as a "powerhouse footy factory" given its strong AFL contingent over the years.
Harmes' retirement came as a shock, opting to hang up the boots with one year left on his contract at the Western Bulldogs.
The 30-year-old played 174 games for Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs after he was drafted in ahead of 2014.
Harmes spent 10 years at the Demons, where he contributed to the drought-breaking premiership, before he joined the Bulldogs for two seasons.
The Lions finished the 2025 season in third place before they were knocked out in the preliminary final in 2025 by Traralgon by 33 points.
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