Brent Harvey’s games record an inspiration to teammates, says Todd Goldstein

BRENT Harvey’s record-breaking week will only inspire North Melbourne on the field for about five minutes against St Kilda, according to Todd Goldstein.

BRENT Harvey’s record-breaking week will only inspire North Melbourne on the field for about five minutes against St Kilda, according to Todd Goldstein.

But the star ruckman said everyone at the club felt privileged to be involved in the historic milestone as Harvey prepares for game No.427 on Saturday night.

The five-time club champion will break Michael Tuck’s playing record against the Saints and is almost certain to play on in 2017 when he will be within touching distance of game 450.

The Kangaroos will wear special 427 jumpers to commemorate Harvey’s milestone, which coach Brad Scott doubts will ever be broken.

Goldstein said Harvey’s professionalism behind closed doors was the key to his superhuman longevity.

“He’s, what, 90 years old? Yet through the pre-season the coaches pretty much have to ban him from the club so he doesn’t come in for the whole time,” Goldstein told the Herald Sun.

“I feel very privileged and very pleased I’ve got to play alongside him for pretty much my entire 160-odd games.

“He’s got to be up there with the best. It’s the week-to-week stuff that no one sees.

“It’s an incredible achievement. I never thought and I don’t think anyone ever thought that Tucky’s record would be passed.

“It’s a massive night for Boomer and a massive night for this footy club.”

Brent Harvey is set to bak the games record on Saturday night against St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

Goldstein said the Kangaroos wouldn’t be spurred by Harvey to beat the Saints.

“I think that stuff lasts for about five minutes, or even less maybe, and then you just go about your business,” he said.

“The worst thing we can do is worry about it and think about it during the game.

“We know what we’ve got to do to win the game and that’s what we’ve got to focus on to get Boomer what he deserves.

“He’s just a little champion. For so long now I’ve stood there and just watched him and watched him do something brilliant and that typifies Boomer.

“Whenever we’ve needed someone to stand up it’s always been Boomer, whenever someone is needed to do that brilliant piece to get the side going again it’s Boomer.

“He’s just a champion of the footy club and it’s bene a privilege to be next to him.”

Harvey, Tuck (Hawthorn), Kevin Bartlett (Richmond) and Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) are the only players to play 400 games, with dual Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey fifth on 383.

The Kangaroos have never lost one of Harvey’s milestone games, from his debut way back in 1996 to Friday night’s 40-point win against Collingwood as Harvey equalled Tuck on 426 matches.

“It’s exciting to be part of and I couldn’t see a more deserving person than Boomer to actually reach this milestone,” Goldstein said.

“He deserves all the accolades that he gets and he’s just an incredible player.”

Scott urged fans to attend to witness history.

“These are one of the moments in sport where you think, ‘Gee, I’m glad I was there to witness that’ ... a record that may never be broken again,” he said.