NFL 2018: North Heidelberg champion Shane Harvey kicks his 900th goal at the Bulldogs

North Heidelberg champion Shane Harvey further cemented his status as a great of the Northern Football League with his 900th goal in the 33-point win over Heidelberg.

Shane Harvey takes a mark for North Heidelberg. Picture: Andy Brownbill

LESS than 100 goals to go.

North Heidelberg champion Shane Harvey further cemented his status as a great of the Northern Football League when he kicked his 900th goal for the Bulldogs in the 33-point win over Heidelberg on Saturday.

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Harvey needed five goals to reach 900, slotting his fifth in the second quarter on the way to an eight-goal haul as North Heidelberg scored a 19.15 (129) to 14.12 (96) win to move a game clear in the top three.

Shane Harvey celebrates the 2017 Division 2 premiership with cousin Blair and brother Brent. Picture: Tim Michell

“Thursday night, one of the guys who looks after that stuff sent me a message with games played and goals kicked,” Harvey said.

“I didn’t realise actually how many it was, even when I kicked my fifth on Saturday, I still didn’t even remember. I didn’t set out to kick five for the day to get my 900th.

“No one knew, when he sent that message I didn’t tell anybody I was five off so no one knew until after the game when word spread around.”

The 35-year-old said he was proud to reach the milestone.

“I think it’s 174 games or something so a bit over five goals a game so I was pretty happy to kick my 900th,” he said.

“It definitely doesn’t do a great deal for me, I’m not telling anyone about it, kind of thing, but obviously the win was much more important so we ticked that off but little milestones like that along the way, they’re OK I suppose.”

Harvey only needs another 97 majors to reach 1000 goals at North Heidelberg.

He said the thought of reaching the magical four-figure goal mark had only crossed his mind in recent days.

“I’ve got no time in mind that I want to step down and retire. Hopefully one day I do get there (1000 goals) for the footy club,” he said.

“The young list we’ve built over the past few years, all those young boys coming through, I’ve seen them grow first-hand and there is something pretty special with the bond between them and their talent on the footy field.

“I’m definitely in no rush to stop playing.”

The result gave North Heidelberg five wins on the spin to continue its remarkable return to the top flight.

Harvey said the Bulldogs had taken the competition by surprise this year.

“I think we have for the simple fact that three years ago when we went up we only won two games and went straight back down,” he said.

“At the moment we are over achieving but we’re not happy with where we are now, we want to play finals and give it a shake and there’s no reason why we can’t.”

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