The mercifully small cut on North Melbourne star Brent Harvey's left knee is a stark reminder that a chainsaw and multi-tasking do not mix.

Somehow, Harvey did not even need stitches at the weekend after accidentally cutting himself while using a friend's chainsaw.

The Kangaroos veteran had nearly finished cleaning up at home after a storm when the accident happened.

"I bent over and picked up a little twig, but at the same time my finger was still on the throttle of the chainsaw," he said.

"At the end of the day, I'm very, very lucky. It's embarrassing now because I only have a tiny little nick.

"I don't recommend doing two things at once with a chainsaw."

Harvey is doing a building course and admits he needs more chainsaw experience.

He is yet to hear coach Brad Scott's thoughts on the incident.

"I don't know if he's angry or he hasn't seen the Facebook page (where Harvey reported the accident)," he said.

While Harvey's lucky escape was a talking point at North on Monday, the Roos are also on the verge of deciding their captaincy.

There is plenty of speculation that Jack Ziebell could take over from Andrew Swallow.

"Andrew is doing a great job. I guess they're looking at a transition period, similar to what I did with Andrew," Harvey said.

"We certainly want Andrew playing when our next skipper is coming through, so he can nurture him.

"It's a good plan, but when that is I'm not too sure.

"Andrew still has some pretty exciting footy ahead of him, I'm tipping."

Harvey said Ziebell was ready to step in if it was felt the time had come for a change.

"It's just all those little things that a great leader has, Jack has been blessed with (them)," he said.

Harvey is second on the all-time games list with 409 and is on track to break Michael Tuck's record of 426 this season.

But all he wants is for North to break its run of losing round one matches.

"Like I've said through my whole career, I don't look too far forward," he said.

"I want to take control of what's in my control right now - and that's round one.

"We haven't won round one with Brad at the football club ... that's certainly our aim."