Brent Harvey has been a boom recruit for North Heidelberg
THE “Boomer” show has found a new audience after another dominant display by the AFL games record holder in a suburban footy demolition job.
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THE “Boomer” show has found a new audience after another dominant display by the AFL games record holder in a suburban footy demolition job.
After entertaining AFL crowds in 432 matches, former North Melbourne star Brent Harvey, 39, has found a new stage on which to thrill fans.
Harvey is winning rave reviews as a suburban sensation, starring again on Saturday with a five- goal, 40-plus possession game for North Heidelberg.
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A string of best-on-field performances and goal-scoring bonanzas in division two of the Northern Football League is attracting big crowds and pushing canteen workers to the limit.
Last week Harvey booted nine goals, had 55 touches and roared to the front of the league’s best-and-fairest leaderboard. He has kicked 27 goals in six games.
Against cellar dweller Lalor, he again wound back the clock in a performance likely to leave Kangaroos fans scratching their heads about why their team cut one of its all-time greats last year.
North Heidelberg officials say Harvey has breathed new life into the club, inspiring junior players and happily obliging star-struck supporters’ requests for autographs and photos.
Harvey said he was just doing what he loved by returning to his roots.
“This is where my old man played and my brother plays, as well, so it’s good,’’ he said.
“It is a bit different to Etihad Stadium and the MCG but you still get the butterflies in your stomach because it’s still 22 blokes versus 22 blokes and you don’t know what you’re going to get.’’
Harvey set up a host of goals with his trademark bursts out of the midfield as the Bulldogs cruised to a thumping 31.13 (199) to 3.6 (24) triumph to add valuable percentage to their 12th straight home win.
With his cousin Blair and brother Shane at North Heidelberg, though out with a foot injury, Harvey said it was “a family affair’’.
“I always said I would come back here and play with Shane, whether that’s one year or a couple more years I’m not quite sure yet,’’ he said.
“But I’m enjoying it and we’re winning, so that’s a bonus.’’
Harvey has been in North Heidelberg’s best players every time has has taken the field.
“He’s on fire,” North Heidelberg Bulldogs president Rick Thompson said.
“The gates have been massive — we’ve had full houses for every game he has played, even when we were playing away.
“Bar sales and canteen sales have been going through the roof.’’
Shelley Park in Heidelberg Heights is a world away from the stadiums Harvey dominated.
Dogs strayed onto the ground at half-time yesterday and fans nursed beer cans during the coach’s address. Bfore the Boomer show started, kids played kick-to-kick on the surface.
Utes and tradies’ vans were the vehicles of choice parked around the ground and fans sounded their horns in appreciation of every goal.
Harvey said it was those sort of scenes and — the regular commentary call out of the centre of “Harvey-to Harvey to Harvey” — that made it special for him.
Bulldogs vice-president and football operations manager John McDonald said beer, pie and hotdog sales had been “going gang busters’’ as crowds flocked to see the North Melbourne champion.
Despite playing against opponents sometimes half his age, Harvey still showed them a clear pair of heels and left them gulping for air with his bursts towards goal, McDonald said.
“I definitely reckon he had another year left in him at AFL level, but it is what it is,’’ he said.
“Young blokes in their 20s still can’t catch him and, with all due respect, it can be harder at this level because you don’t always get it laces out.’’
Shane Harvey said finally getting to play with his famous brother was a boon for local footy.
“He brings a lot of people through the gates ... it’s pretty special and so many more kids come down just to see him and get that access to him that you just don’t get when he’s playing AFL,’’ he said.
“They can stand next to him out in the puddles and just watch him dominate.’’
The four-time All-Australian and 1999 premiership star denied he missed playing in the AFL, suggesting he got his “footy fix’’ by working two days a week in a development role for the Kangaroos.
He also denied winning the time- trail against his old Kangaroos team mates before the start of this season.
“That was a fake accusation,’’ he said.
But there is no faking the love fans have for the North Melbourne great.
Even at the suburban game there were almost as many Kangaroos beanies in the crowd as Bulldogs.
“A couple of kids have waited after games for a couple of autographs and things like that,’’ Harvey said.
“They still remember who I am, which is good.
“Little North Melbourne supporters have asked me to sign their footies so it’s good. It’s created a bit of atmosphere for local footy.’’
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