Family, friends and rivals in awe of Shane Harvey’s footy achievements
North Heidelberg legend Shane Harvey is on the cusp of history. Brother Brent, coach Jason Heatley and rival Nick Riddle speak about the Bulldogs’ little master.
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Few players in suburban Melbourne football have been able to leave fans, teammates and even rivals in awe as often as Shane Harvey.
When he steps out onto Shelley Reserve on Saturday, the North Heidelberg legend will be on the cusp of history.
Harvey needs 10 goals to become the first player in Diamond Valley/Northern Football League history to reach the 1000-goal barrier.
The highlight reel is almost unprecedented, the longevity unmatched, and while it would take a monumental performance, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get the job done.
In 201 appearances for the Bulldogs Harvey has averaged almost five goals a game and is the only player in league history to have kicked 100 majors in a season six times.
VFL/AFL games record holder and big brother Brent marvels at what Shane has been able to do.
“He’s kicked almost 1000 goals and probably set up half of that as well, when you take that into account he’s had a decent little career,” Brent said.
“He’s been an absolute star of the competition for a long period of time, even when I was playing for North Melbourne I used to come and watch, and taking the brothers thing out of it and you just have to sit back in awe.
“I reckon there’s 300 in there that no one other person in the world could kick, he’s got some tricks young Shane.
“You can’t help but actually laugh, he’ll get the ball on the boundary and you think that can’t go through but it does and you just think wow.
“People might think they’re a fluke but I can promise you there not; he does them at training, he does them at home, growing up with him he was always kicking balls through doors or up the driveway.”
At 176cm, Harvey is far from the traditional key forward, instead relying on his evasiveness and class to torch opposition defenders.
Brent said it was a credit to his little brother that he’d been able to achieve what he has.
“I’m not sure how many would have done that at local level and if they have I’m tipping they’re 6’6 and 120kg,” he said.
“If you told someone that didn’t know much about North Heidelberg or Shane Harvey that his bloke was going to kick 1000 goals in 10 years and he walked into the rooms he wouldn’t point at Shane.
“It makes it more special because of the way he gets his goals, it’s not the traditional way, but it’s his way and he’s been very successful.”
The chase begins on Saturday when North Heidelberg hosts rival Macleod, a club he’s kicked only 10 goals against in the past four games.
The likes of Ned McKeown and Daniel O’Brien are unlikely to join the party with the milestone more likely to be reached in Round 2 against Northcote Park.
Greensborough backman Nick Riddle knows what it’s like to be on the other end of a Harvey masterclass.
The Borough star is one of local footy’s premier defenders and remembers watching him as a teenager before going on to line up against him.
“I was 14 or 15 going to watch a Division 2 grand final and he took three or four bounces on the far side at Preston and kicked one of the best goals I’ve ever seen,” Riddle said.
“He’s an absolute handful that’s for sure … you’ll come up to a stoppage and as quick as he’s there he’s gone and running into an open goal.
“Then if you lose touch with him you’re half waiting to have his foot in your back. He can jump for a little fella.
“He’s a ripping bloke, I actually really look forward to playing on him, he cops it from the crowd but he can give it back to them.
“He’s kicked some amazing goals on me and you just have to laugh and smile and say well done because you’re in awe and then you have to quickly snap out of it.”
Arriving in 2008, Harvey made an instant impact in the NFL, kicking 108 goals and winning the Rosbrook Medal as the Division 1 league best-and-fairest.
He’s been at the forefront of North Heidelberg’s 2014 and 2017 premierships, joining his father as a two-time premiership player at the club.
He holds the club record for 17 goals in a match – against Watsonia in 2017 – and was named best-on-ground in the 2014 Division 2 grand final.
Harvey has won the competition goalkicking award seven times in 11 years and been named in the division Team of the Year every season he’s played.
Including stints at Wakool and Barooga, Harvey is closing in on 1400 goals in his senior career.
North Heidelberg coach Jason Heatley was the last Bulldog to kick 100 goals in a season and is a long-time family friend.
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“The real big tick for Shane was he was the glue that held North Heidelberg together for a long time,” he said.
“He’s got all the tricks and just takes games away from the opposition. He has an uncanny ability to see moments and execute.
“It will be an enormous achievement if and when it happens and if he’s lucky enough to do it this week it will be on a good stage for him and as history has shown that’s when he puts his best foot forward.
“He’s one guy that has a freakish goal sense and ball-winning ability and we’ve all seen what he can do from a finishing perspective.”
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