Ricky Ponting spent $600 to hear North Melbourne win the 1999 Grand Final from Sri Lanka
RICKY Ponting forked out about $600 to listen to Brent Harvey win his sole AFL premiership - and it remains his No.1 ‘Boomer’ memory.
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RICKY Ponting forked out about $600 to listen to Brent Harvey win his sole AFL premiership — and it remains his No.1 ‘Boomer’ memory.
The Australian cricket legend and devoted North Melbourne fan said he would be “barracking louder than ever” when he sits in the Etihad Stadium stands on Saturday night as Harvey breaks the games record in appearance No.427.
Ponting recounted how he listened to the second half of the Kangaroos’ 1999 premiership triumph on his mobile phone from Sri Lanka after a day of Test cricket was washed out.
“I was in Galle with the Australian Test team at the same time that North played Carlton (in the Grand Final),” Ponting told the Herald Sun.
“After the day of play was washed out, and with no live TV, I called my best mate who was back home watching the game on television.
“I listened to the entire second half on my mobile phone at $10 a minute. A premiership win was worth it
“I am so looking forward to being at Etihad on Saturday night and will be barracking louder than ever for Boomer as he breaks the games record.”
Ponting, 41, praised Harvey as “the ultimate athlete and competitor” in a tribute to one of his Kangaroos idols.
“I continuously marvel at his explosiveness, durability and tenacity,” he said.
“But what I most admire about Boomer is that he isn’t motivated by anything other than team success.
“For me, his resilience typifies the North Melbourne Football Club and its famous Shinboner Spirit.
“At 38, he still has a profound impact on games and the way he has been able to adapt through the different phases of football over the years is extraordinary.
“He has reinvented himself on countless occasions.”
The 1999 flag was Harvey’s 64th AFL game. He won 21 disposals in the 35-point victory.
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