James Harmes, a midfielder for the Western Bulldogs and former premiership player with Melbourne, announced his immediate retirement from the Australian Football League (AFL) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The 30-year-old’s decision comes just days before the start of the 2026 AFL season, following a period of personal leave from the club.
Harmes informed his Western Bulldogs teammates of his decision on Tuesday, bringing an end to an 11-season career that yielded 174 games and a premiership with the Melbourne Demons in 2021. He joined the Bulldogs ahead of the 2024 season after 152 appearances for Melbourne.
The Bulldogs confirmed the retirement in a statement, with Executive Manager Men’s Football, Sam Power, acknowledging Harmes’ contribution to the club. “James should be extremely proud of what he’s achieved on the field, winning a premiership and contributing strongly for two clubs across his time in the AFL,” Power said. “We wish him all the best for the next phase of his life and he will always be welcome back at Mission Whitten Oval.”
Harmes’ departure leaves the Western Bulldogs with a vacant spot on their list, which they will attempt to fill through the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), with the deadline for signings being March 2.
The 2021 premiership player had been working through personal issues recently, taking indefinite leave from the Bulldogs after participating in pre-season training before Christmas. He did not return after the three-week break, missing the club’s camp in Queensland.
Despite battling concussion issues throughout 2025, Harmes played 13 games for the Bulldogs, including a strong performance in Round 16 against Sydney, where he recorded 21 disposals and a goal. He was contracted with the Bulldogs until the end of the 2026 season, having signed a three-year deal upon his arrival from Melbourne at the end of 2023.
Originally drafted as a rookie in the 2014 AFL draft, Harmes developed into a regular player for Melbourne under former coach Paul Roos and continued to feature prominently under Simon Goodwin. He played 18 games in the Demons’ premiership-winning season, including the Grand Final victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Harmes expressed gratitude for his time in the AFL, stating, “I’ve been so fortunate to play AFL footy for over a decade at two amazing clubs. Winning a premiership in 2021 was a lifelong dream and something I’ll cherish forever, while spending the past two years at the Bulldogs has been special. I feel like the time is right for me to step away from the game and focus on other areas of my life. I’m forever thankful to those that have played a part in my career.”
