Recruited from Oak Park, as a youngster Harmes was perceived to have a lot of talent, finishing third in the 1976 Morrish Medal and winning The Sun newspaper's "Sunkick" competition. He was a grandson of Len Smith and the great nephew of Norm Smith (whose namesake medal he would win in 1979). Harmes debuted in 1977 for the Carlton Football Club, going on to play 169 games for 86 goals until his retirement, due to weight problems in his later career, in 1988.
Recruited from Oak Park, as a young man Harmes was considered to have great potential, finishing third in the 1976 Morrish Medal and winning The Sun newspaper's "Sunkick" competition. He was a grandson of Len Smith and the great-nephew of Norm Smith (whose namesake medal he would win in 1979). Harmes debuted for Carlton Football Club in 1977, going on to play 169 games for 86 goals until his retirement due to weight problems in his later career, in 1988.