exclusive

AFL premiership player James Harmes granted personal leave from Western Bulldogs pre-season

Mitch Cleary
7NEWS Sport
James Harmes has taken leave from the Bulldogs’ pre-season campaign.
James Harmes has taken leave from the Bulldogs’ pre-season campaign. Credit: Getty

Western Bulldogs midfielder James Harmes is the latest premiership player to be granted personal leave from AFL pre-season.

7NEWS understands the 30-year-old hasn’t returned to the club following the Christmas break.

There is currently no timeline on his return as he deals with his delicate personal situation away from the Kennel.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

He is seen as unlikely to feature early in the 2026 campaign.

In the past week fellow premiership players Bobby Hill (Collingwood) and Tyson Stengle (Geelong) also took indefinite leave from their respective clubs.

Harmes played 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2025 in his second season at the club after crossing from Melbourne, where he tasted premiership success in 2021.

His three-year contract is due to expire at season’s end.

Originally published on 7NEWS Sport

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 13-01-2026

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 13 January 202613 January 2026

Rudd in early Washington exit as PM denies Trump influenced move.