History is a great teacher according to Brent Harvey and the fact no team has won a grand final outside of the top four, means North’s challenge is clear.

Asked where he thinks his side will finish in 2016 during his regular segment on The Run Home program on SEN, the veteran didn’t hold back.

“I’m gonna say top four is where we have to finish to give the premiership a huge tilt, so top four for me,” he said.

The 409-game veteran believes some new rule changes may help him become and even more potent player in his 21st season. An extended protected area around the mark from 5m to 10m could provide him more room to run amok.

“Every time I’m having a shot from outside fifty, every single player on their team says, “Don’t jump! Don’t jump!” so they’re sort of onto me now … it might be game on now I think.

“I think it’s going to make the game a little bit more exciting … I hope the umpires be consistent with it … I think it’s going to be a good rule and fasten [sic] the game up.”

Rested for last week’s NAB Challenge game against the Magpies in Wagga, Harvey is keen to return on Saturday night at the Roos’ home ground, Etihad Stadium.

“You want to get used to the ground again, playing the best team in the competition at the minute, the Hawks, so looking forward to it, really excited.”

With one final hit-out before round one, Harvey believes coach Brad Scott will aim to reduce their rotations and have the team as close to the new cap as possible.

“We’d be trying to get to somewhere near 90 I’d imagine. I think we had 30 or 40 rotations less than Collingwood on the weekend.”