Brent Harvey won’t be playing at North Melbourne in 2017

IN A shock move, North Melbourne has made the call to can four star players, including club legend Brent “Boomer” Harvey.

Harvey won’t be wearing the blue and white next year.

NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott says showing Brent Harvey and three other veterans the door was the hardest day of his AFL coaching career.

The Kangaroos have dropped a bombshell on the eve of the finals, announcing Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo will not be offered contracts for 2017.

Scott addressed a media conference at Arden Street shortly after the shock announcement, telling reporters the decision had been made with the club’s long-term future in mind.

“It’s a heartbreaking decision and one that wasn’t taken lightly ... it’s easily the hardest day in my coaching career,” Scott said on Wednesday morning.

“The decision has been made in the best interests of the football club.

“I spoke to all four boys yesterday. To the boys’ credit, they completely understand where the football club is coming from.

“I agree that (all four players) could contribute in 2017. But the future goes longer than that.

“I’m not ashamed to say I love these guys and if they were here in 2017, I’d play them. That would not be in our best interests.

Petrie’s 2016 hasn’t gone to plan.

Boomer is a living AFL legend.

“This is not a bombshell, there have been discussions over a period of time.”

Scott said the lead-up towards making the decision was “horrific”.

He defended the timing of the announcement, adding it was possible Saturday night’s clash with Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium will be the last opportunity for Victorian fans to farewell the champion quartet.

The Roos were on top of the AFL ladder after 12 rounds but will play off in an elimination final after dropping to eighth with one round left in the home-and-away season.

Depending on round 23 results, North’s 2016 campaign could end with an away elimination final loss to Adelaide, the Giants or West Coast.

Harvey passed Hawthorn great Michael Tuck in round 19 when he played his 427th career game to become the AFL’s all-time games record holder. He had previously expressed a strong desire to play on.

Will North miss Firrito’s physicality.

Dal Santo has made the most of his time with the Roos since moving from St Kilda.

The 38-year-old’s form has not waned in his 21st season but Petrie and Dal Santo have endured inconsistent campaigns, with Petrie in particular considered lucky not to be dropped.

Earlier this year Petrie became just the fifth Kangaroo to reach the 300-game milestone and Firrito, who was drafted to the club in 2003, isn’t far behind with 273 games to his name.

After playing 260 games for St Kilda, three-time All Australian Dal Santo made the move to Arden Street in 2014, and earlier this week said he was keen to continue playing.

“Absolutely, I want to play next year,” he said.

“I understand the club’s position as well, and we are in a unique situation where there’s a lot of us over that dangerous age of 30, but by saying that I feel like if you’re playing good footy and you give them good evidence, you’re a good shot to play.”

— with Rob Forsaith and Jason Phelan, AAP