Brent Harvey, Isaac Smith, Kevin Sheedy to join Southern Slugs in open age international footy tour

A number of major AFL names, including a games record holder, are set to represent an SA footy club when it competes in an international tournament later this year.

A number of AFL greats will represent an SA-based footy side when it travels to Croatia and Bali to represent the country in an international tour later this year.

AFL games record holder Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey will join AFL International masters (over 35) side ‘Southern Slugs’ along with Hawthorn and Geelong premiership player Isaac Smith and legendary coach Kevin Sheedy when it travels to Bali and Croatia to compete in an open age tour during November.

The 46-year-old, who played 432 games for North Melbourne, will make his return to the game for the Slugs months after breaking his leg while playing for North Heidelberg last April.

He will also be joined by his brother Shane Harvey on the tour, as well as former AFL players Shannon Motlop and Richard Champion.

Boomer Harvey will play for SA-based Southern Slugs against Bali and Croatia teams in an international tour this year. Picture: Michael Klein

“I got a phone call from Peter (Oldfield) at the Slugs who asked if I’d be interested,” Harvey said.

“I haven’t played a game since the leg break so I had a think about it but I saw it as a really good opportunity to travel overseas and promote the game of footy.

“I’m looking forward to playing alongside my brother and it sounds like Isaac Smith and Kevin Sheedy are locked in as well which will be really big. There’s no bigger promoter of our game than Kevin.

Isaac Smith will return to the footy field for the Slugs. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“It’s definitely exciting and we want to make sure it’s something people can look back on and say was a lot of fun and really worth doing.”

Harvey will be joined by North Melbourne teammates and a number of SANFL players this Saturday at the West Adelaide Football Club as the Southern Slugs launch their season.

The event and international tour will be supported by ‘Strike Out Suicide’, a mental health and suicide awareness campaign founded by former AFL and SANFL footballer Troy Gray.

“Things like these tours and events don’t happen without great support and Troy has obviously played AFL footy and knows how important mental health is in sport and in today’s society,” Harvey said.

Kevin Sheedy is also set to join the Slugs for their tour in November. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

“Hopefully we can create a fair bit of awareness and help to get the message across that it’s OK to chat with your mates about what you’re going through with your mental health.”

Having missed almost a year of footy, Harvey said he was eager to get back into playing shape and onto the field.

“I’ve only been back running again since just before Christmas.

“When you have eight months on the sidelines it can get pretty tough mentally and I’m really excited to just get back to going for runs and doing my daily training.

“Having this long off footy has made me realise how much I do love the game.”