JAMES Harmes says kicking his first goal for Melbourne – the team he followed growing up – was a moment he will never forget.

The effervescent rookie booted his first AFL goal for the Demons against the Magpies at the MCG on Saturday.

After starting as substitute, Harmes came on in the third quarter, before he kicked a crucial goal to put Melbourne up by 21 points in the final term.

Harmes recounted the goal on Tuesday, when he spoke to Dee TV.

“It was [a great moment]. I just remember getting the ball off Aaron [vandenBerg] and I was running into an open goalsquare and I was thinking ‘is this really happening?’” he said.

“It was a great feeling to finally kick my first goal for the club that I grew up barracking for and it was just great to get the win as well.

“A few of the boys got around me. I think Dawesy (Chris Dawes) poked me in the eye [accidentally], so that wasn’t too good, but all of the boys ran down and got around me, so it was good.”

To cap off his moment, Harmes’ mum and sister were also in attendance, after they returned from a European holiday to watch him for the first time in AFL colours. 

“My mum and my sister Emily were in Europe for the past two months, so it was the first [AFL] game they’ve seen me play,” he said.

“Luckily, I saved kicking my first goal until they came back over, so it was a pretty proud moment for Mum and the sis, so it was good of them to come out and see a good win.

“Mum was ecstatic and it was a pretty special moment when I saw Mum after the game. I gave her a big hug and a kiss and it was great.”

Now with four AFL matches under his belt, Harmes said he was eager for more – and determined to help the club climb up the ladder.

“It’s a pretty funny feeling playing AFL for the club you grew up barracking for and I just can’t wait to get out there and keep trying to get a few wins for the boys,” he said.