NORTH Melbourne captain Brent Harvey says Saturday night’s five-possession game against St Kilda was the worst of his decorated 281-game career.

Harvey, 31, is in his 15th AFL season and was comprehensively beaten by St Kilda opponent Clinton Jones as North crashed to a 104-point loss at Etihad Stadium.

Harvey, who has been dealing with the recent loss of his grandmother, said he had never played a worse game in North Melbourne colours, but he refused to use an emotional two weeks as an excuse. 

“It’s probably the worst game I’ve ever played in my career,” the veteran told Bigpond Sports Weekend on Sunday.

“My grandmother passed away a couple of weeks ago, and with a fairly big build-up. The funeral was on Thursday, so it was a pretty sad time for our family.

“I think I just got beaten on the night and, like I said, I’d never use it as an excuse for playing bad footy.
 
“They’re pretty well drilled, the Saints. You get a little bit of space on Clinton Jones, who I was playing on last night, and then someone else covers you.”

Coach Brad Scott said post-match that Harvey had played like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

“Boomer’s had an extremely emotional two weeks,” Scott said.

“He doesn’t use it as an excuse, we don’t give him the excuse. But the way he played last week was exceptional under enormous duress.

“That emotional pressure builds up on even the most professional players, even the best players.”

North’s defeat followed a 14-point round-one loss to Port Adelaide, but Harvey said the side would not dwell on the early-season failures.   

He added that Scott had been measured with the group post-match and turned their attention immediately to round three opponents West Coast.

“It’s more about how we bounce back next week rather than looking back and dwelling on last night,” Harvey said. 

“He got the whole group in last night and just spoke to us and just took some positives.

“He was very measured last night. I can’t speak highly enough of Brad Scott, he’s fantastic.

“He’s going to be very good for the North Melbourne footy club for a long period of time.”

Harvey was reported for tripping on Saturday night, but the veteran said he had nothing to worry about. 

“I was running back towards goal, one of the St Kilda players had his back to goal and I sort of just gave him a bit of a shove,” he said. 

“The umpire was in a pretty bad [position] to call it, I reckon. But that’s footy.”