Brad Scott cited the need to get games into the Kangaroos’ young kids as one of the main reasons for not offering Brent Harvey a contract.
The problem is North hasn’t got any kids that can sufficiently replace Harvey.
Champion Data lists Harvey as a ‘general forward’. Out of the Kangaroos’ 19-23 age profile, only two players fall under this category: Taylor Garner and Kayne Turner. Jed Anderson and Ryan Clarke could potentially fill the void, but both are more suited to the midfield, rather than a half-forward role.
It’s a big hole to fill for a pair of players who have only played a combined five senior games this season.
Garner has battled chronic hamstring issues throughout his career.
The 15th pick in the 2012 draft had his entire 2014 season wiped out with a hamstring injury, which carried onto the first half of 2015. Garner has only played five games this year – three in the seniors and two in the reserves – with his hamstring holding him out of the other 17 outings.
When he plays, Garner has shown he can make a difference. His forward pressure is immense and as he showed in the first half against Richmond in last year’s elimination final, Garner isn’t afraid of the big stage.
In his first prolonged stint in the AFL, Garner rated above average for forward half pressure points and tackles, which is a positive.
However, Garner’s kicking efficiency and scoreboard impact is average at best, which is a problem, as those two attributes are some of Harvey’s strengths.
Turner is also battling with a bum hamstring, as it has kept him out of 15 games this season.
The lively forward applies manic pressure, as he recorded the second-best tackle efficiency rating at North Melbourne last season, excluding ruckman.
Turner is also efficient in front of goals. The 2014 rookie elevation has booted 8.1 from set shots in his first two AFL seasons. However, despite his accuracy, Turner averaged just 0.6 goals last season, a below average mark.
His 1.4 score assists average in last year’s finals series shows Turner is as much a provider as scorer in the forward line, a trait that will assist him in replacing Harvey’s role.
Like the issues surrounding Garner, though, Turner is an unreliable asset due to his injury troubles.
Booting Harvey, for two injured soldiers, isn’t a wise move.
Getting Garner and Turner healthy should be North’s first concern, before worrying about giving them experience.
Even if the duo weren’t hurt, though, the choice not to renew Harvey’s contract is baffling.
Harvey has been proficient for the Roos this season, being one of only three general forwards to average at least 20 possessions and 1.5 goals (Steven Motlop and Toby Greene.)
Furthermore, Harvey ranks as the 26th-most-impactful player in the competition over the last 40 games, according to Champion Data.
He remains North’s most damaging player with the footy, as only Taylor Walker has a better inside 50 kick than Harvey. Since 1999, Harvey has hit a target with 33.1 per cent of his kicks inside 50, the highest rate in the league.
The modern game is built for older players to survive. With advanced recovery mechanisms, sport science and elite facilities, age is becoming just a number, and not an indication of if a player is slowing down.
Harvey was proof of this and he clearly has too much to give to the game to retire.
It will be a painful exercise for the Roos to watch one of their favourite sons run around in a different jumper, especially if they can’t get his replacements on the field.
john bieske
Guest
I am flabbergasted that Brent Harvey will be stood down. This year he has been in Norths best players almost every week. Sure rebuild BUT have a mix of old and new. The rookies need mentoring and leadership. I believe that Coach Scott is posturing to buy time by saying he wants to rebuild. He has been at the helm as coach for 7 years without delivering.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
True
Marie
Guest
There is no argument Harvey can not have been delisted for his stats this year. Most would struggle to argue he could be dropped for his predicted stats or value on the field next year and probably the year after. It is a hugely unpopular decision amongst the club's supporters. So club management would not have made the decision without a very very good reason, which they haven't given us. What is it?
Mark
Guest
The fact that it came out by press release and has created such ill feeling among supporters. But then again, the club is not totally to blame for how it panned out. The players asked to know where they stood, then didn't want to face the media to announce the outcome.
Cat
Roar Guru
Just out of curiosity, what would have been a 'good' way to handle it? If you wait until the end of the season then just as many people would be upset that they never got a chance to farewell them.
Mark
Guest
While it's disappointing and sad how the announcement has been handled, as a North fan I can understand the decision to drop Boomer and the others. They are not going to take us to a Premiership...not this year, not next year, and not any year after that. We are better off moving on and giving a chance to younger players who might be part of the next flag. Specifically on Boomer, yes his form is good enough for him to play another year. I would not hold a single bad feeling for him if he did and any North fan who would is a mug. I suspect Boomer might change his mind on playing for another team if a genuine flag contender offers to pick him up. However, North are going backwards next year, not forwards. The only point I can see letting Boomer go around for another year with North is for him to pad out his games record.
Dean
Guest
The last couple of months have proven the Kangas aren't good enough. They need to free up salary cap as well as list spots to fill with players that might take them to another level. Boomer's only going to get worse, Dal Santo and Firrito are too slow. Petrie was the only real surprise to me. Waite is injury prone and Brown and Daw are already playing.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I'm not a North supporter so this decision doesn't affect me emotionally or personally, but I am a dedicated football watcher and like to think I can objectively consider the talent and worth of players from other clubs. When it comes to Brent Harvey I have to admit he's never been a favourite with me in the personality stakes but, when discussing his value to his team I would easily consider him one of the three most talented players on the Kangaroo's list. Unless there is something happening behind the scenes which none of us are privy too, I would have signed him for 2017 with an option by mutual agreement for 2018. North does not have one player on its list capable of filling the Harvey role each week to the levels of consistency and skill he brings to it; I would have thought that was ample reason for resigning him. As things now stand the Roos have diminished their playing lists class and adaptability and completely alienated the club supporters who hold him dear. I expect to see North plummet down the ladder next year if this is their idea of "list management "
Paul O'Hare
Guest
Not so old Spud Firrito has been in great form this year too. He's very fit and virtually unbreakable. If someone was looking for an experienced defender for a year and he was interested. He was a great annoyance to everyone else but he hasn't played 273 games by accident.
dan ced
Guest
I hope Harvey plays on, I think Petrie will get snapped up for a solid year of target practice. Dal Santo wouldn't be a horrible pickup either. Norths year after the first 10 games has been horrific, so action had to be taken, I can't blame them for culling.
Don
Roar Rookie
Not handled great but from a player and fan perspective, unless he had retired by his choice not many would be happy anyway. And the "get games into young kids" is a dud comment from a guy who should have had a better script. I think it is more about North getting into some trade deals on some mid - late 20s guys to run around with the kids coming through. How much is Boomer being paid, what was his asking price for next year and does Boomer taking a spot limit the ability to attract a longer term quality player in a trade deal? Same with Petrie and Nick Dal. What if the Roos were able to secure Jaeger O'Meara (I wouldn't?) Or, what if Hawthorn now pick up O'Meara and Tom Mitchell was at North Melbourne next year? Or Richmond and Brisbane decide to change coaches and clean out some players and put Cotchin and Rockliff on the blocks?
Stewie
Guest
Far out, North are one of my most disliked teams in the comp for this exact reason. Their list management, and philosophy for playing youth is absolutely mind-bogglingly stupid. Honestly, a 4 year old could make better decisions than Norf's senior management. As said above, their development of young players has been that woeful that there's no real standouts to replace those four players. One can only assume that they're going to go gangbusters in the off season, but to make it really successful they'll need multiple top 10 draft picks in multiple years, but they have very little in terms of trade currency. They're not a Sydney, who can find gems in the Rookie Draft, and who make better trade choices than injury prone, B Grade, 30+ year old has beens in a deluded search to find the "last piece of the puzzle" to get a flag. Far out, it's ridiculous how BAD they are! Harvey was North's best player by an absolute mile against the Swans, and now they're going to delist him. Only Norf. If you're a North fan and you're offended by anything I said, you really shouldn't be. You should be as infuriated as I am.
Mike
Guest
"Brad Scott cited the need to get games into the Kangaroos’ young kids as one of the main reasons for not offering Brent Harvey a contract" What a hypocrite! Members and supporters have been screaming all year for him to blood youth and give games to the kids killing it in the VFL, yet like his game plan on game day he delivers nothing. He has continually given games to under performing spuds that will never make the AFL grade. He is clueless If anything our injuries this year showed our lack of depth. Top teams find a way to win against adversity and we constantly failed. I agree with the decisions on Drew, Dal and Firrito, however not the way they were handled. Yes Boomer is 38, but in his current form...who is he actually keeping out of the side when you look at what is left?