Brent Harvey wants to play on in 2017, will start contract negotiations at Round 16 or 17

BRENT Harvey’s contract talks will wait until weeks before he breaks the AFL games record as the league promises a grand celebration for the incredible milestone.

AFL: Round 1 North Melb v Adelaide

BRENT Harvey’s contract talks will wait until weeks before he breaks the AFL games record as the league promises a grand celebration for the incredible milestone.

Harvey (412 games) needs just 15 more matches to break Michael Tuck’s AFL record of 426 games, and is set to hit that milestone in Round 19 against St Kilda.

The North Melbourne marvel is flourishing in a new role as a legitimate forward pocket, with 11.3 this year after 24 goals in 25 games last year.

He seems certain to play next year, but his manager Shane Casley confirmed on Tuesday contract talks would be held only in Round 16 or 17.

Brent Harvey has started the season in outstanding form. Picture: George Salpigtidis

He met with North Melbourne about other clients on Tuesday but made it clear Harvey, 38 next month, wanted to play on.

North Melbourne and the AFL will hold a triumphant celebration of Harvey’s career if he breaks the record that could include a gala dinner in his honour.

Casley, who also manages forward stalwart Drew Petrie (296 games), lauded Harvey’s mental toughness.

“I was at the Kangaroos today catching up with them about Drewie’s 300th games and I said to them, ‘Boomer’s playing pretty good footy, the boy’,” he said.

“But it will be the same process as every other year. In Round 16 or 17 we will sit down as we always do.

"I have managed him since he was 17 and he is still hungry and eager and keen. It is amazing he has that mental strength."

- Shane Casley

“I have managed him since he was 17 and he is still hungry and eager and keen. It is amazing he has that mental strength.

“He has got his new forward role and he knows how to make it his own. He has set himself goals for the year on what he wants to achieve.”

Harvey is so focused he won’t even discuss potential milestone plans, but has ticked off a commemorative jumper to be made in his honour.

Former North Melbourne teammates and coaches as well as Tuck will be invited to a special celebration at the game, the first of three Melbourne contests in a row from Rounds 19-21.

The Roos requested two home games in a row to cater for Harvey potentially missing a game, but were denied in an official fixturing request by the AFL.

Last year Harvey was forced to celebrate his 400th game with an away game at the Gabba, leaving Roos fans and administrators frustrated and bemused.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane made it clear on Tuesday Harvey’s potential achievement was the subject of major plans.

“Along with the AFL goals record and the coaching record it is one of the great records in our game and has stood since 1990 when Michael Tuck took it from Kevin Bartlett,’’ he said.

“The potential for someone else to get there is a long long way away. The celebrations would be led by the club, but it will not pass quietly for us.

“We don’t want to jinx him but if is happens and hopefully it does, it will be celebrated in a significant fashion.”

Matthew Pavlich (338 games), Corey Enright (312), Nick Dal Santo (303) and Nick Riewoldt (301) are the only other active players over 300 games.

Champion Data heat maps show Harvey is now winning 61 per cent of his disposals in the forward half, up from 48 per cent in 2015.

He is finally free of a tag and relishing the latitude, his six goals a career high in game 412.

Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett, who played 403 games, said yesterday Harvey should play on for as long as he could.

“Dustin Fletcher played until he was 40 and Boomer is 37 — he could at least play next year and then keep going from there,” Bartlett said.

“I have always said fulltime footballers should be able to play on longer than the old-timers.

“They used to go to work and dig ditches then going to training. These days they aren’t out on the track running 12 laps of Indian file.

“Or doing one-on-ones on a dark, wet cold night. It gives them a terrific chance to play a hell of a lot longer than they could before.”

ROO BEAUTY

Brent Harvey’s hot streak

Round 1 v Adelaide 3.0 from 16 disposals on Rory Laird and Kyle Cheney

Round 2 v Brisbane 2.3 from 24 disposals on Ryan Harwood and Tom Cutler

Round 3 v Melboourne 6.0 from 22 disposals on Neville Jetta, Christian Salem

Boomer’s record-breaking window

- Harvey can break the record in Round 19 if he plays the next 15 games

Round 19 North Melbourne v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium

Round 20 Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium

Round 21 Hawthorn v North Melbourne at MCG

Round 22 North Melbourne v Sydney at Buldstone Arena (Hobart)

Round 23 North Melbourne v GWS at Etihad Stadium

Originally published as Brent Harvey wants to play on in 2017, will start contract negotiations at Round 16 or 17