NFL 2019: Brent Harvey appointed coach of North Heidelberg

AFL games record holder Brent Harvey has been appointed coach of North Heidelberg for 2019. But it’s set to be a change of pace for the 40-year-old who will join just a handful of other playing coaches.

Brent Harvey in action during last year’s preliminary final. Picture: Mark Dadswell/AAP

AFL games record holder Brent Harvey will take the reins at North Heidelberg in 2019 after being appointed coach of the Northern Football League Division 1 club on Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs have moved swiftly to announce Jimmy House’s replacement after he stepped down from the role last month, citing personal reasons.

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Harvey, who turns 41 in May, will serve as a playing coach and will be keen to replicate last year’s efforts when North Heidelberg surprised the competition by reaching a preliminary final just 12 months after winning the Division 2 premiership.

It was the first time in NFL history a club had reached top-flight finals the year after securing the second-tier silverware.

Harvey has served as a part-time development coach at North Melbourne for the past two years and in an assistant role with the AFL Academy.

Big news out of @northernfnl tonight - AFL games record holder Brent Harvey has been announced as playing coach of @NorthHeidelberg. Jimmy House stepped down at the Bulldogs last month @superfooty @localfooty

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) February 6, 2019

North Heidelberg president Warren Haysom said the Bulldogs would lean heavily on their assistant coaches to support Harvey.

Harmit Singh (Northcote Park), Charles Gaylard (Heidelberg) and Ricky Dyson (Bundoora) are the only recent playing coaches in Division 1.

“Potentially there could be a couple of games he may miss but we’ve got some contingencies in place there,” Haysom said.

“These days, a playing coach in Division 1 footy is a fairly unique role and there is some sort of element of risk in that I suppose but you look at the credentials of the person, Brent felt it was the right time to look at his coaching career and North Heidelberg being a good stepping stone for him.”

Harvey played 432 games, including the 1999 premiership, was a four-time All Australian and five-time best and fairest winner in his 21-year career at North Melbourne.

He returned to North Heidelberg following his career at the top level and played in the Bulldogs’ Division 2 grand final win over Diamond Creek, also winning the league best and fairest medal in the same season.

North Heidelberg has been busy on the recruiting scene in the off-season, landing Western Bulldogs premiership player Shane Biggs, former Sydney academy pair Nick Sincock and Jack Mapleson and Marong midfielder Jarrod Fitzpatrick.

Brent Harvey flies for a mark. Picture: Nathan William Media

However, Liam Hunt, Jesse Tardio and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly have linked up with VFL club Williamstown.

Haysom said North Heidelberg would be “looked at quite heavily” from opposition clubs after an outstanding maiden season in the top-tier.

“I think we might have got under the guard of quite a few clubs last season so we will be to some extent hunted, finishing third last year,” he said.

“As far as our list goes, it’s looking fairly solid. I know Brent is very happy with the players we’ve picked up, who we think will add some further depth to our list.”

North Heidelberg will open its season against Macleod at De Winton Park on April 6.

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