Since his debut in the final round of 1996, Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey has experienced a long and successful career filled with both individual and club honours.
Yet, come Saturday night Brent Harvey will break the all-time games record, which may be one of the greatest achievements of his whole career.
In the year 1996, Harvey played his first AFL game and at that time, The AFL, Australia, and the world was in a completely different state.
The Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy Lions had completed a merger to become the Brisbane Lions, James Hird and Michael Voss were named dual Brownlow medal winners for the 1996 season and North Melbourne won the 100th AFL Premiership, with a young Harvey watching from the sidelines.
John Howard became the 25th Prime Minister of Australia and Jeff Keating was serving his second-term as the Victorian Premier.
Australia was defeated by Sri Lanka in the International Cricket World Cup, the first Australian Grand Prix was held at Albert Park in Melbourne won by Damon Hill.
In American sport, the Chicago Bulls set the record for the best season 72-10 then went on to win their fourth NBA Championship, while the Yankees won the MLB World Series and the Dallas Cowboys won the Superbowl.
That’s just one year in the long 20-year career of Brent Harvey, yet from all the off-field events that have occurred, it is the on-field memories of Boomer are that we all truly cherish.
From humble beginnings, at Preston RSL, Harvey was taken at 47 in the 1995 draft, he was a highly talented junior coming through the grassroots ranks, to winning the best-on-ground in the U18 National Championship game with the Northern Knights.
At the time the draft, there was a lot of conjecture among the North Melbourne recruiting ranks, with Brent Harvey standing at 167cm many believed Harvey to be ‘too small’ for AFL football, how he proved everyone wrong and paved the way for future players to have greater opportunities within the drafting process.
Harvey went on the play his first game against Richmond in Round 22 of the 1996 season in front of 61, collecting just the singular handball. He then watched his side win through to the grand final and defeat Sydney by 43 points.
His next season he broke into the side in Round 5 against Richmond and soon enough solidifying his spot in the side for the majority of the season. North Melbourne finished seventh on the ladder, yet battled through the finals only to lose to St Kilda – the side they face in Harvey’s record-breaking game – and the Saints went on to lose to Adelaide in the grand final.
After coming so close to a grand final berth, Harvey had the burning desire to claim the ultimate prize in football. By the 1998 season, North Melbourne were reaching the height of their power, they won the pre-season cup and were minor premiers eventually playing off in the grand final against defending champions, Adelaide.
Yet, it was heartbreak again as North were unable to overcome the Crows, losing by 35 points.
In 1999, North Melbourne finished second behind Essendon on the ladder, before making to through to play Carlton in the grand final. On this occasion, Harvey achieved his dream to win the AFL Premiership. In only his third season he had claimed victory on the biggest stage.
Boomer’s early success was followed by a career of highlights and milestones, including individuals honours: four x All-Australian, five x Syd Barker Medal, two x Lou Richards Medal, North Melbourne Team of the Century, Jim Stynes Medal, Captain of Australia in the International Series, North Melbourne captain and Shinboner of the era and most notably the ‘Point of the Century’.
Brent Harvey is without a doubt one of the greatest players to ever grace our game. His ability the change a game with his speed and burst to break opposition lines or snap a goal out of the pack is great spectacle for any sporting fan, all of which has still been apart of his game to date, amazingly at age 38 doing what he has for 20 years.
His longevity can be put down to various reason, possibly due to his meticulous preparation, which many of his past and present teammates would describe as ‘OCD’. Yet, he has shown that age is no barrier for performance, and has made strong intentions to continue into 2017 and future seasons.
With North Melbourne, in the latter years their ‘Premiership Window’, there is no reason for him to go now. The stark reality is that Harvey is still one of the most important players in the North Melbourne side, he among the top ten players of all major stats to date.
Ranked third in total kicks, fifth in total handballs, fourth in total disposals, eighth in marks and third in goals sitting three goals behind leading goal kicker, Ben Brown and looming as a definite possibility to take out the leading goalkicker at the end of the year.
When the game comes on Saturday, Boomer will run out onto Etihad Stadium with his children, wearing the long sleeve number 29, in honour of Michael Tuck, the man he will ultimately overcome for the all-time games record.
Harvey will no doubt be focused on the bigger picture with a long week of hype and festivities. However, there is still a game to be won, and its importance cannot be underestimated.
To put it simply, if North Melbourne win they will put a two-game buffer between themselves and St. Kilda, almost guaranteeing a place in finals footy, while closing the gap on the top four. Despite a notable form slump they still sit a game shy of second place GWS.
Yet, if North lose they will only be one win ahead of the Saints and will be a chance of dropping out of the eight, with all four games against top eight sides and three against the current top three sides.
There will be no easy wins to finish the season, underlining the importance of the victory on Saturday night.
In his 427th game, Brent Harvey will make his mark in AFL history, achieving an unbelievable feat the likes of which nobody ever thought possible.
It may never be be broken.
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