Anthony Stevens says Brent Harvey had something special even as a youngster

FROM the moment Anthony Stevens first laid eyes on Brent Harvey, the North Melbourne legend knew there was something special about his new teammate.

FROM the moment Anthony Stevens first laid eyes on Brent Harvey, the former North Melbourne star knew there was something extraordinary about his new teammate.

An All Australian and dual club champion, Stevens played with - and against - the best during a decorated 292-match career.

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Now 45, Stevens has been retired for 12 years but his appreciation for Harvey endures

“From the first day I saw him walk into the football club, you could actually see in the first 12 months he had something pretty special,” Stevens said.

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“As a small fella getting around, he looked like a jockey but he had something special about the way he went about his footy preparation.

“From week to week, the way he prepared himself mentally and physically was amazing and he’s got that natural skill of knowing where the goals are.

Brent Harvey runs through the banner with his children before the game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“He’s got great fitness, speed - hasn’t lost his speed - what can you say? He’s got to go down as one of the greats because not too many players can make that 21 years and play so many games.

“It’s an incredible legacy that he’s going to leave. Just an amazing footballer with amazing ability.”

Stevens and Harvey shared premiership glory in 1999, but it was Harvey’s performance to win the EJ Whitten Medal in the same season that left a profound impression.

“Probably my biggest memory is playing for the Big V and he got ‘BOG’,” Stevens said.

“Last year there was a game when he broke the game open with three goals in 10 minutes at the start of the third quarter.

“Before then, North was struggling and suddenly they were away - that’s what a true champion does.

“Wayne Carey is probably the best player I’ve seen play, but ‘Boomer’ is right behind him in regards to how he can influence a game.

“At 38 years and 21 years (seasons), he’s still getting tagged. That’s just unbelievable.

“I just can’t imagine how he’s doing that at his age, getting tagged and physically being able to get up, week in, week out.

“I played 16 years and didn’t quite get to 300 (games) and I was mentally and physically gone.

“He’s into his 21st year and mentally and physically he’s still OK and still got another year left him.”

Leigh Colbert played 104 of his 209 AFL games alongside Harvey and marvels at his former teammate’s effort to overhaul Michael Tuck’s longstanding record.

“I don’t think that anyone thought ‘Tucky’s’ record was ever going to be broken, personally,” Colbert said.

“I remember watching ‘Tucky’ finish his career and then coach at Geelong I thought ‘Mate, no-one is gonna get near it.’

“It is amazing and he’s going to play on, that’s even scarier. So, great effort.”

Colbert believes football’s evolution towards ultra professionalism helped extend Harvey’s career.

Brent Harvey with Anthony Stevens and Shannon Grant.

“Late 90s when he first found his way to the footy club, (it was) obviously a different style, different training,” Colbert said.

“And then almost the last three quarters of his career, (there’s been) a more professional approach of looking after your body, better recovery.

“The old days of get beaten and get flogged on a Monday was what ‘Tucky’ had to go through and the Sunday barrel, that sort of stuff which still existed in the 90s.

“I think he’s (Harvey) been sort of lucky to blend those couple of eras together and then he’s had no injuries below his hips so I think that’s a huge thing.

“He’s amazing, he keeps on, keeping on.

“He was professional from the start and you don’t do this unless you’re not.

“He knew what he wanted and he’s got great family support.

Former Roos’ defender Mick Martyn isn’t surprised the little forward is yet to hang up the boots.

Martyn said it was quickly apparent the skinny teenager drafted to North in 1995 had a studious nature and a ferocious work ethic.

“He came into a good team and did all the disciplined things,” Martyn told AAP.

“He’d go into the gym and work hard. Pound for pound he was one of the strongest at the club.

“He had all these attributes and he learned a lot from a team at the time that was on top.”

EVOLUTION OF VFL/AFL GAMES RECORD

First to 100 games: Charlie Pannam (Collingwood/Richmond)

Round 14, 1902. Retired in 1908 after 193 games.

194 games: Fred Elliott (Melbourne/Carlton)

Grand Final, 1910. Retired in 1911 after 209 games.

210 games: Jock McHale (Collingwood).

Round 9, 1914. Retired in 1920 after 261 games.

262 games: Vic Thorp (Richmond).

Round 16, 1925. Retired in 1925 after 263 games.

264 games: Gordon Coventry (Collingwood).

Round 11, 1925. Retired in 1937 after 306 games.

307 games: Jack Dyer (Richmond).

Round 9, 1949. Retired in 1949 after 312 games.

313 games: Dick Reynolds (Essendon).

Round 14, 1950. Retired in 1951 after 320 games.

321 games: Ted Whitten (Footscray).

Round 5, 1970. Retired in 1970 after 321 games.

322 games: John Nicholls (Carlton).

Round 10, 1974. Retired in 1974 after 328 games.

329 games: Kevin Murray (Fitzroy).

Round 18, 1974. Retired in 1974 after 333 games.

334 games: John Rantall (South Melbourne/North Melbourne/Fitzroy).

Round 6, 1980. Retired in 1980 after 336 games.

337 games: Kevin Bartlett (Richmond).

Qualifying Final, 1980. Retired in 1983 after 403 games.

404 games: Michael Tuck (Hawthorn).

Round 22, 1990. Retired in 1991 after 426 games.

427 games: Brent Harvey (North Melbourne).

Round 19, 2016. More to come ...