Get to know North Melbourne's fourth and final selection of the 2022 AFL Draft, Cooper Harvey.
1. Son of a gun
The Harvey is name synonymous with the North Melbourne Football Club. Cooper's father Brent played 432 games in the blue and white, setting the AFL games record in the process. A 1999 premiership player, five-time Syd Barker Medal winner, four-time All-Australian and member of North’s Team of the Century, Harvey is one of the greatest players to enter the doors at Arden Street. 'Boomer' was a gut-runner with flair and had a knack for finding the footy, while Cooper, who is a touch taller than his father, is just as sturdy around the contest. Brent left a permanent legacy at North Melbourne, and now Cooper will have the opportunity to etch his own name into the club's storied history.
2. He cracked into the Vic Metro team
Despite struggling with an injury earlier in his 2022 campaign, Harvey strung together an impressive stretch of games that resulted in him cracking into the Victoria Metro side for the Under-18 National Championships decider against Victoria Country. Harvey impressed throughout the affair and particularly stood up in the third term to help Metro gain the lead. In one of the game's final passages of play, the 18-year-old rose high in the goalsquare, claimed an important mark, and kicked the sealer for his side. Despite arriving at the club as a late selection, Harvey looked right at home alongside the other big 2022 AFL Draft names like Will Ashcroft, Elijah Tsatas, and now teammate Harry Sheezel.
3. Fourth father-son
Harvey joins Jackson Archer, Bailey Scott and Luke McDonald as father-son selections on North Melbourne’s list. Co-vice captain Luke McDonald, son of 155-gamer Donald, notched his 150th appearance for the club in 2022 and soon after surpassed his father's total. Robert Scott's son Bailey has just come off a career-best season, where he averaged 18.1 disposals a game, to claim third place in the Syd Barker Medal count. And Jackson Archer, son of Roos legend Glenn, made his debut last season and is priming himself a breakout 2023.
4. He can find the footy
Like a true Shinboner, Harvey isn’t afraid to put his head over the ball and his body on the line. Through his eight games with the Northern Knights in the NAB League this season, Harvey managed 20.1 disposals and three inside-50s per game and in his final three matches he averaged 25.7 disposals, 11.3 contested possessions, six clearances and 0.7 goals. His most notable showing outside of the U18 Championship decider came in mid-August against the Western Jets when the young midfielder/forward gathered 30 touches, seven marks and a goal in a profile-raising performance. Although it's likely that the Roos would lean towards using him as a forward, having the ability to find his own football through the midfield and use it with composure will certainly serve him well in the AFL system.
5. He can play taller than he is
Standing at 180cm, Harvey's noteworthy, contested marking ability is a key part of what makes him such an intriguing prospect. Against Vic Country in the U18 Championships, Harvey reeled in a game-high three contested marks at Marvel Stadium, with one of those being the catalyst for his game-sealing major. A threat at ground level and in the air, Harvey is sure to set games alight with his well-versed skillset, especially around goals.
