Australian Football

Carlton's Wayne Harmes will forever be celebrated as the first man to win the Norm Smith Medal (unless the AFL decides to make retrospective awards). Harmes, who fittingly was actually Norm Smith's nephew, won his Medal after a stirring performance for the Blues in their five point victory over Collingwood in the 1979 VFL Grand Final. His superb game that day was capped by a brilliant dive to knock the ball back in-field deep in the right forward pocket; the ball went straight to team mate Ken Sheldon, who booted the match-winning goal.

Powerfully built, Harmes was an inspirational player who liked to crash his way through packs. He was equally at home across the centre, on the ball, or in the backlines, and almost always managed to accumulate numerous possessions. He rose through the ranks to play 169 senior games with Carlton from 1977 to 1988. He also booted 86 goals. His best performances tended to come in important games, notably the winning Grand Finals of 1979, 1981 and 1982, and his appearances for Victoria in 1979 and 1986.

After leaving Carlton Wayne Harmes played briefly with Brunswick in the VFA. In 2000 he was inducted into the official Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame.

Author - John Devaney