Brad Scott says the club’s decision to not re-contract Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo for 2017 was “heartbreaking”.

Scott informed the Roos’ veterans of the club’s decision on Tuesday, describing the day as “easily the hardest of my coaching career”.

"It's a heartbreaking decision and I can assure everyone it was a decision that wasn't taken lightly," Scott said.

"There have been on-going discussions with the boys involved and the decision was taken to move the announcement forward because we really feel that while we hope it's not, there's a possibility this weekend's game is our last in Melbourne.

"We were determined to give the players the opportunity for their friends, their family, their loved ones, but also the fans, the supporters, the members to see the boys play in Melbourne for potentially what could be the last [time]."

Scott said the players were understandably “very disappointed” at the decision.

“They are all playing at a really high level. Boomer in particular, has not just limped to 400 games; he’s burst through the 400-game barrier and is still playing at really high levels.

“I can completely understand that all four of the guys know that they are really integral members of our team, right here, right now and that they would all be capable of playing some really good footy in 2017.

“The decision has been made with the best interests of the football club at heart. If 2017 was going to be the last year on Earth, we know those four boys would make a contribution to us. But, the future is longer than that and we needed to make this decision in the best interests of North Melbourne’s future.

“I spoke to all four boys yesterday and it’s easily the hardest day of my coaching career.

“I can understand, I can emphathise with the disappointment and the emotion that’s involved in this, but to the boys’ credit, to a man, they all have talked about while they are really disappointed, they completely understand where the football club is coming from.

“They dealt with things in an unbelievably professional and honourable manner.”

Scott said he accepted North supporters would be upset with the decision.

“I understand a lot of fans will be disappointed, but I’m charged with the responsibility of putting this football club in a really strong position over the long term.

“I acknowledge that when people say Boomer in particular, and the other three boys can make significant contributions in 2017, I agree with that. But this football club’s going to go on longer than 2017.

“To deny young players the opportunity to play is not in the best interests of our team.

“The reality is, even the most optimistic people would think that the four boys, whilst capable of playing next year, will probably finish next year.

“While extremely difficult in the decision-making process, we strongly feel that it’s the right one, in the best interests of the club.”

Scott said the decisions on Petrie, Dal Santo and Firrito were just as hard as that of Harvey.

“When North Melbourne’s in trouble, Drew Petrie goes to the spot where we are struggling, whether that’s forward, back or midfield,” he said.

“I honestly don’t believe we would have played in successive preliminary finals if Nick Dal Santo hadn’t come to the club.

“Michael Firrito’s been the rock and the ultimate club man and everything we admire and love about North Melbourne.

“All four of the boys made it very clear that they wanted a decision made. They didn’t want the uncertainty and they wanted an answer. That played a part in accelerating the decision.”

Harvey will finish his career as the AFL games’ record-holder, boasting a remarkable five Syd Barker Medals and four All-Australian nods.

“I think Boomer himself will acknowledge Wayne Carey as the greatest player to play for this football club, but I can’t think of anyone else who rivals Boomer for that next position,” Scott said.

“Everyone can talk about his performance as a player, and speak in glowing terms, but what I’d rather focus on personally is the legacy he’s going to leave.

“His legacy will be unrivalled. There is no person, whether it be a player, coach or administrator, who will leave a better legacy for North Melbourne Football Club than Brent Harvey.

“Players and people who are associated with this club will be affected by the legacy Boomer’s left for them.”

Scott said the departing champions will play a key role not just in the Roos’ 2016 finals campaign, but also in the years to come.

"They're determined to get every last ounce of energy out for this football club over the next hopefully five weeks,” he added.

“All of the boys will play significant roles in the football club’s future, both on-field from mentoring and potentially coaching players, to off-field in ambassadorial roles.

“That’s if they are really keen to be involved, but from a football club’s perspective, the legacy they’ve left will be indelible and it will be enduring.”