While North Melbourne were generally on the money (albeit not with the delivery) to not offer Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo deals going into next season, they missed the mark on the record-breaking Brent Harvey.
Love him or hate him, the 38-year-old’s statistics this season continue to defy logic.
With his 32 possession, three-goal performance against the ladder-leading Swans last Saturday, it is not as if Harvey is drifting into the sunset.
He has kicked 34 goals in 2016, equal with Lindsay Thomas and only four behind club leader Ben Brown. His is averaging 21 possessions a game and still tracking at 74 per cent efficiency.
Taking this story from a different angle, I am surprised that North did not look at using Brent Harvey in a ‘player-coach’ role from next year.
The benefits of this approach would be two-fold: Harvey could go out on his own terms, and also continue to influence the next generation Brad Scott is looking to bring in for 2017. Who knows, perhaps even into 2018.
In this respect, Harvey could be managed through the season while still having an active tactical role.
This has the potential to completely alienate Scott from the supporters, and splinter his playing group.
From a list-management perspective, it also seems bizarre. It is not as if the North small-forward brigade is brimming with youth. Lindsay Thomas and the injury-prone Shaun Higgins will be 29 once the 2017 season rolls around, and Robin Nahas is not the answer.
Surely Harvey would still be of significant use in the forward 50 at a minimum, and a formal assistant-coach role could potentially redefine how clubs use their champion veterans.
Outgoing club President James Brayshaw yesterday invoked the ghosts of Terry Wallace past when he said the decision was made to build a five-year plan.
“The call is about the next five years, not about next year or even the next four games.”
This could be a significant tarnish on a solid legacy, where during his eight-year tenure, Brayshaw has almost eradicated North’s significant debt and set a more professional base at Arden Street. At least we will still hear Brayshaw commentate cricket on Channel Nine (sigh).
The final warning shot to the club is perhaps best encapsulated by Russell Jackson’s piece on Harvey late last month, in the week leading up to ‘Boomer’ breaking Michael Tuck’s record.
“He’s still being tagged. He’s still breaking those tags. The day opposition sides don’t bother with the tactic it might crush his spirit. To defeat Harvey is to wound North Melbourne’s chances.”
North have missed a wonderful opportunity to continue acknowledging Harvey as crucial cog in the club, and transition him to an off-field role.
To a Roos fan, Harvey and Petrie are like those comfy old lounges you used to fall asleep on at your Nan’s house. It is a shame in the case of Harvey we bid adieu at least one year too soon.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He was a woeful club coach at Canberra. Likewise Wally Lewis.
swift foetus
Guest
old couches? i h8 old couches they smell like awful and for a valid reason. don't be nostalgic rather look to blue skies with LT and your MField so much tarrant (chinese accent)
swift foetus
Guest
you're right mal meninga doesn't qualify either
Gecko
Guest
Good post Luke. I hadn't realised there were so many blokes set for retirement in the next couple of years. They really do need to blood more young blokes ASAP. Completely justifies the decisions re Del Santo, Petrie and Firrito.
Tanami Singh
Guest
Well once the players pressed the club for an answer on next year and they got told sorry boys no contracts they had to make the announcement. If the players didn't want to be part of the announcement then that's their own choice.
Paul W
Guest
The games record holder and legend of that club deserved better than to be lumped into a three line press statement along with the others.
Tanami Mehmet
Guest
Show me a good way to conduct a cull and I'll buy you a beer. At the end of the day sacked is still sacked and it sucks.
Tricky
Guest
What Collingwood should've done in 2012
Rocko
Roar Guru
Cheers Dougie and note the class of his post this afternoon.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
High quality fb post by Boomer released on AFL website this afternoon shows a lot of class by Boomer and it seems to lack the sure-tail signs of PR or legal spin. Well done by the champ posting that message. Will be interesting to see how North respond against GWS this weekend.
Gecko
Guest
I agree with you Milo. If Harvey told you to apply more shepherds and tackles, you couldn't take him seriously because he rarely did those things. And he has a reputation for being prickly. So there are probably better coaches around. But he probably would still add value as a small forward - someone who'd take the pressure off other forwards because he'd require a good defender on him. Maybe they can redraft him from the rookie list!
michael steel
Guest
I know there are procedures but my issue with this is solely the timing. It's most likely that in two games time the season will be over for the Roos. I can't see how this could motivate these players or the team to go another step forward, but my predictions are invariably wrong.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
North beat Adelaide. The point with Harvey is that he is still in top form and none of North's younger brigade come near him in quality.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
Not many players at Nth will be there for there next flag,cannot see a flag at Arden St for a long time, it's about being competitive,an Nth are more competitive with Harvey running around.
dympna
Guest
comes a time when all good leaders need to leave and allow others to take up the challenge! personally I think he is over rated and last match showed how egocentric he is....he didn't pass to a couple of team mates who were in a better position and took a ping at goal and missed, it was at a crucial stage of the game! older players however good they are must make way for the new generation! and the point most are missing is that Harvey and Co went to the coach and wanted an answer so they weren't prepared to hang out for the teams sake till after the season was over!! worst thing about it all we will have Harvey/Petrie commentating next year as experts..give me a break am over all these ex players becoming experts/commentators
Luke
Guest
NM had no choice but to axe several of their senior players. NM had only beaten 1 team in the top 8 with that being WB, whereas other teams such as the Saints and Dees have beaten more top 8 sides this year. This year NM have 17 players aged 27 years or older which would suggest they should be pushing for a flag given their demographic. However, they are going to finish 8th and get knocked out first week. Harvey 38, Dal 32, Firrito 33, Petrie 33 all gone. Wells 32 by round 1 2017, Gibson 31, Waite 34, Swallow 30, Thompson 31 so these are next crop that will go the year after. (excluding Swallow he'll likely last one more). 2018 - Goldstein 30, Thomas 30, Tarrant 29, Higgins 30, Swallow 31. (Will be moving on soon) My point is they are going to die very, very slowly, and they are going to lose all these players in a few years. NM should be looking to trade a senior player for draft picks otherwise they are going to turn into a rabble down the bottom for many years to come. And apparently they've shown huge interest in Chris Mayne, surely not. My thoughts and prayers are with their supporters.
Rocko
Roar Guru
Dolphin in shark net very apt.
Birdman
Guest
Don't know if he has any potential as a coach but he should move away from the club to develop his chops. The one thing that yesterday's axing confirmed for me is that Boomer's games record is gettable - I may not see it surpassed in my lifetime but it will be claimed at some point.
TomC
Roar Guru
We were glad to have him. He had some good games at the Roys. Also some heartbreaking moments.
TomC
Roar Guru
It rather seems like the people who made this decision are also those best placed to determine if Harvey would be a valuable assistant coach at the Roos. I've never liked the idea of players transitioning to assistant coaching roles at the same club. I know sometimes it works but I think clubs need regular injections of new ideas, and players need to experience the way of doing things at other clubs to expand their coaching abilities.