Already one of North Melbourne’s all time greats, Brent Harvey was a bargain in the 1995 National Draft taken number 47 by the Kangaroos.

Harvey started his career as a crumbing forward and debuted in 1996, but didn’t have a huge impact until 1998 when he kicked 32 goals for the season and played in North Melbourne’s losing Grand Final team.

He had another strong year in 1999 and finished it off with a premiership while also gaining great recognition after a dominant display in Victoria’s State of Origin win over South Australia.

Despite his size, Harvey has gone on to become one of the elite midfielders in the AFL and has won four Syd Barker Medals.

In 2008, he averaged 25 possessions, booted 25 goals and captained Australia against Ireland in the International Rules Series.

He was given the ultimate honour in late 2008, announced captain of the North Melbourne Football Club after Adam Simpson stepped down from the job.

The number 29 had a quiet start in 2009, and just as he looked to be regaining some ominous form, he suffered a cruel blow with an errant tackle dislocating his elbow and breaking his thumb.

The determined veteran defied medical opinion and advice, missing just seven weeks and was able to play a pivotal role in the Roos end of season revival. 24 possessions and two goals in the final round win against Port Adelaide the highlight.

Darren Crocker 2009 review:
It's disappointing when you lose elite players to injury and Boomer is highly regarded as one. It affected our speed and our class when he was out. The way he worked to get himself back was a credit to him and I thought he finished the year off pretty strongly. He played some really disciplined roles which a lot of people wouldn't have realised. He grew as a captain as well. His first year was one of the most eventful years of all time with Chickengate, the coach leaving halfway through and Adam Simpson obviously retiring as well. He'll find all that was an enormous learning curve for him.

Draft history: 1995 National AFL Draft 3rd round selection (North Melbourne) No. 47 overall.
First game for North Melbourne: Round 22, 1996 v Richmond
Player honours: 2nd Brownlow Medal 2007 (equal); best and fairest 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008; 2nd best and fairest 2001; premiership side 1999; All-Australian 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008; International Rules Series 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008 (Captain); Jim Stynes Medal 2003; EJ Whitten Medal 1999, Captain since 2009
Brownlow Medal: 125 career votes

Player sponsors: The Davey Family – Simon Davey

Become a North Melbourne fan on Facebook

Follow North Melbourne on Twitter