Todd Goldstein says Brent Harvey should be allowed to play for as long as he desires after the North veteran’s four-goal performance against Fremantle on Sunday.
The 37-year-old just signed a one-year contract extension taking him into a 21st season with the Kangaroos and was a major factor in the 11-point win.
“That’s why he has got to 404. He’s an absolute legend of the game,” Goldstein told The Herald Sun.
“That term gets thrown around a lot but that’s ‘Boomer’ (Harvey).”
Harvey also collected 17 disposals and helped the side come from behind to snatch a big win over the ladder leaders.
“He can play for as long as he wants,” Goldstein said.
“That’s why we signed him for another year because his influence on the game, his skills, his running ability, none of that has changed in the 20 years he has played.”
Goldstein still rates Harvey as one of the club’s best players.
“He’s still in our top five, top 10 players at the club.
“Players like that don’t come around every day and you’ve got to appreciate the person that ‘Boomer’ is and I think we’ve got a lot to learn from the man.”
Now on 404 matches, Harvey has now gone past Kevin Bartlett’s 403 and sits second on the all-time games played table.
Harvey may have the opportunity to surpass record-holder Michael Tuck in 2016 with the Hawk legend on 426.
“We all probably take it a little bit for granted at times … But he kept us in that game and he willed us over the line,” Goldstein said.
“It’s the stuff he’s done for 20 years.
“What he brings to the team, it’s unmeasurable.”
North coach Brad Scott joined Goldstein in praising Harvey’s “very significant” contribution.
“He’s a special player. He kicked some pretty important goals,” Scott said.
“We had to take our chances going forward so these really classy players and Harvey is one, they’re really important to you because they don’t need a lot of opportunity to hit the scoreboard.”
Goldstein: "Harvey limitless"
Todd Goldstein says veteran Brent Harvey should be allowed to play for as long as he desires.