North Melbourne coach Brad Scott believes Brent Harvey can play on

BRAD Scott believes Brent Harvey could play on next year if he wants to but said the decision to move on four veterans was still the right one.

Brad Scott says he’s committed to the Kangaroos. Picture: Michael Klein

BRAD Scott believes Brent Harvey could play on next year if he wants to but said the decision to move on four veterans was still the right one.

But Scott conceded it was a mistake to announce the departures of Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo on the eve of the finals, admitting he would have handled the situation differently if he had his time again.

The football world was not only shocked by North’s announcement the AFL games record-holder would not be offered a contract for next year, but also by the timing.

“We were very disappointed that it was messaged the way it was but in terms of the players themselves, ‘Boomer’ in particular, he doesn’t feel disrespected in any way, shape or form,” Scott said.

“If I had my time again, I still would’ve told him because I gave him that commitment that I’d tell him, but I probably would’ve said, ‘Mate, it’s not the time now to announce it … You know so you’ve got some clarity around the situation but for the club’s sake, we need to announce this post-season’.

“No doubt the messaging to the members didn’t go as we would’ve liked but in terms of the relationship with the players involved and the honesty and integrity that was shown, I have absolutely no issue with that.”

Brent Harvey with Brad Scott when the club announced he would not be given a new contract for 2017. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Scott said Harvey “really wanted to know” if he was in North’s plans for 2017 and the coach promised he’d tell him as soon as he knew.

“As the season got towards the close, Boomer was really keen to know and the questions kept coming more and more often,” Scott told Channel 7 on Monday night.

“And I always gave him a commitment that when I knew I’d tell and I'd be upfront with him because honesty and integrity in this game is paramount.”

Harvey recently told The Footy Show he had plenty of footy left in him, and Scott agreed, but he had to do what was best for the club.

“I think he’s playing well to play on. He’s said that a number of times and a number of people have said that,” Scott said.

“But the deciding factor was where the team was at and where North Melbourne needs to go.”

The Kangaroos coach said he was committed to the club’s rebuild, despite being linked to the Brisbane coaching job, and reiterated ruckman Todd Goldstein will not be traded and unrestricted free agent Daniel Wells is a required player.

North Melbourne premiership player David King last week said the Kangaroos were in rebuild mode and suggested they make a fresh start with a new coach, but Scott said he wasn’t going anywhere.

“I’ve always been fully committed to North Melbourne,” he said.

“I’ve been at the club for a fair period of time now. I’ve invested enormously in the club and they in me as a young, 33-year-old coach at the time.

“I’m contracted for a further two years and I’ve always maintained I’ll do the best thing for North Melbourne and while they think that’s me, then that’s where I’ll be.”

On Todd Goldstein’s future at the Roos, Scott said: “I don’t think trading away your good players is a good plan.”

Scott said Wells was entitled to look at his free agency options but hoped the 31-year-old would stay.

“Clearly as coach I’d love Daniel Wells to be playing next year and he knows that. He knows his importance to our team,” he said.

Originally published as North Melbourne coach Brad Scott believes Brent Harvey can play on