JAMES Harmes says he loved playing AFLX and wants to be part of the action again.

The utility said it was a great opportunity and he endorsed the first-time concept, after Melbourne won the Melbourne-based competition over Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.  

“I wouldn’t mind doing it (winning the Grand Final) in September, but it was good to get a blow out against some opposition,” he said.

“It was quick. It was good fun. I had an absolute ball playing it and I hope it takes off, because it was really fun to play. Nibbler (Alex Neal-Bullen) was really good and I’m excited to see what he can do this season.

“As a footballer, you want to win games and hopefully we can take that into the JLT [Community Series]. We go down to Tassie next week and then roll into round one..”

Jake Melksham, who was arguably Melbourne’s best player across the three matches, said it was great fun to play.

“It was pretty fast-paced at the start, but then we slowed it down a bit to work our way through it and it was good to get the win,” he said.

“I had a couple [Zooper goals] from outside 40 metres – but it seemed really short, about 35 metres."

For draftee, Bayley Fritsch, who made his first official appearance for Melbourne, playing against North Melbourne and kicking three goals, it was a moment he’ll never forget.

“It’s worked out pretty well. It was pretty tough out there, but it was good. It was a lot different to any other game I’ve played, but I loved it. It was good to get on the end of a couple,” he said.