North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey is leading the charge for players’ names to be featured on the back of guernseys.

The 346-game veteran says it's time to bring the AFL in line with other international codes such as soccer and American football.

"I reckon it's a big goer, it just makes sense. All the sport I watch, they all have their names on the back,” Harvey told The Age’s Matt Murnane.

Harvey believes the change would allow supporters at the game and watching on television to feel a stronger connection with players.

“It's not so much for guys like myself who have been around a long time - people know who we are. But there are so many players who swap and change teams now with free agency … guys getting delisted, new guys getting drafted, rookies getting promoted - just the change of numbers through the season - I reckon the fans would appreciate it.”

''I know when I go and watch the opposition, if I see a young guy I don't know, straightaway you look down at the AFL Record.

''Now, you do that 10 times a quarter, then you're missing all the action. I just think it's a no-brainer.''

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy is also supportive of the idea. 

''When you see the bloke's name on the back of the jumper, then you follow him,” Sheedy said.

''Don't we want to be promoting a name like Lance Franklin? Not No. 23. It's hard to Google a number, isn't it?"

The Giants were given special concession during the 2011 NAB Cup to display their players' names, a move that drew praise from fans able to familiarise themselves with the club's youngsters. 

"We've got to learn quicker than this, and the AFL will talk about marketing and how it's a point of difference for them.

''But the best way to talk about it is the 'fors' and 'againsts', and the 'fors' would be a hell of a lot more than the 'againsts', surely?

''The AFL will have to listen to the fans sooner or later.''

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