North not making up numbers
The Eagles have dropped just two of their last 23 games at home. But Brent Harvey and the Roos hold no fear.
Speaking to the media ahead of his 18th final, Harvey told reporters North Melbourne wouldn’t be content unless it left with victory.
“Finals are so big. Whenever you get the opportunity to play a final you’ve got to have a good crack,” Harvey said.
“If you don’t, you bow out the first week and nobody remembers you made the finals. We’re certainly not here to make up the numbers.”
The Kangaroos will field a side with little finals experience, but the former captain is confident the big stage will bring out the players’ best.
“This week, we’ll play anywhere. You’ll put us on the moon and we’ll play there because we’re playing finals,” Harvey added.
“I think there’s only six or seven boys in our team who’ve played finals, so going to Perth, going to Adelaide, going to Sydney, playing in Melbourne it doesn’t matter where we play this week. It’s a finals game.
“We are such a young group and I think that’d build excitement and probably belief in each other a lot more if we can go over to Perth and knock them (the Eagles) off.”
Harvey’s last final was back in 2008 when North was bundled out in the first week, and that provides extra motivation in his 346th game.
“It’s a long time between drinks. When I first came to the football club (there were) a lot of finals.
“Four years in football…it’s a long time, some people’s careers come and go within four years, so we just have to make sure we understand the opportunity.”
Harvey says the return of Daniel Wells is sure to help the Kangaroos’ chances.
“Any team would have Daniel Wells straight back in the 22. He’s an exceptional player, he’s had a fantastic year and we’ve missed him the last three weeks. Just to have his skill, his leadership and experience in the team is going to be very good.”