Brad Scott has put a positive slant on Brent Harvey’s six week suspension saying it could be a ‘blessing in disguise’.

Harvey received a four and two week ban for separate incidents in the Roos’ elimination final against West Coast but won’t be sitting on his hands according to the North Melbourne coach.

“We know exactly what we will be doing with him while he’s not playing,” Scott told kangaroos.com.au.

“Without going into too many specifics this far out from pre-season training, Boomer will be heavily involved in absolutely everything we do.”

After handing over the captaincy to Andrew Swallow at the beginning of the 2012 season, Scott says the 346 game superstar will continue his mentoring role on two fronts.

“He’s been terrific in the way that he’s guided Andrew and the other leaders this year on and off the field but as an extension of that, he’ll also continue to take the younger players under his wing. We’ve pretty much got another assistant coach at our disposal.

“I think in many ways we need to look at this suspension in a positive light and realise there will be an opportunity for one of our younger players to step up and fill the void in Boomer’s absence. I for one, am going to be really keen to see who is ready to rise to that challenge,” Scott said.

Scott also believes a shorter season might give the club champion a new lease on life and add even more years to his already long and distinguished career.

“While he’s been able to defy logic and history in a lot of ways with his durability, I think a few weeks on the sidelines may just give him a timely break and will allow him to come back even better.”

The start of the season will mark the first time since Round 12, 2009, that a North Melbourne side lines up without Harvey. However he can play in the NAB Cup, meaning he has an early chance to gain some vital match fitness.

"It's whether I play every game because Brad has to get the team right for Round 1 and, obviously, I'm not in that," Harvey told the Herald Sun's Bruce Matthews.

"I dare say the last (NAB Cup) game I won't play because that's going to be a full rehearsal. Is it good for me to play a couple of games? I'm not too sure. So we have to suss that out."

"The body's perfect. It could mean that with the six weeks off, come round 15 I'm going alright. It might even help me, who knows."