Brent Harvey faces a delayed start to the home and away season with a six-match suspension hanging over his head; but it won’t stop him lining up in the royal blue and white for the NAB Cup.

The 34-year old says he and his team-mates are raring to go after a long pre-season campaign, and he’s eager to be a part of it.

"I'm very keen to play in games one and two, definitely,” Harvey told the Herald Sun.

"I reckon this is a really good launching pad to start improving what we really need to work on and put the new stuff that we've been doing at training into games.”

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Despite his excitement at getting back on the field, Harvey says his coach might have other ideas.  

"I'm not too sure about the last NAB Cup game, knowing (coach) Brad's (Scott) going to want to get his team right for Round 1 and I understand that.

"It will be good going into it knowing that I need to play a lot of game time, normally being older they sit you on the bench for the second half.

"I reckon this year he'll say, 'Off you go, play as long as you want, as long as you can'."

Harvey received a six game ban following the Kangaroos’ Elimination Final loss against West Coast for two separate incidents, but will still be put to good use off the field once the season begins.

"Obviously, it's not a great thing to be out for the first six weeks but I've got to turn that negative into a positive,” he added.

"I really enjoyed (mentoring the younger guys when I injured my elbow) so I'm hoping there's a little role there for me on match days.”

That role may include providing support for small forwards like Lindsay Thomas and young gun Kieran Harper, who Harvey speaks highly of.

"(Harper's) got a great tank now, look at him 12 months ago and he's just getting around, look at him now and he's beating most guys in the time trial.

"I'd like to see him playing half-forward because he'll kick you 30 goals a year.”

Majak Daw has been another to catch the eye of the former captain during the pre-season.

"Majak's a beast. He's so big and strong. He just needs an opportunity."

North will take on Richmond and Melbourne in its opening NAB Cup fixtures on February 22.