Brent Harvey’s incredible 432-game career came to an end in 2016, but the North Melbourne champion believes he could have reached 450 and beyond.
While stressing that he is not jaded with the way it ended at the Kangaroos, the now-42-year-old believes he still had petrol in the tank.
“I don’t know about 500, I think 450 was certainly in the realms because I got to 432 I would have only needed to play another 18 games and one more season and I think on average I didn’t miss too many games,” Harvey told Sportsday WA.
“The law of averages suggests I would have played my 450th and whether I had any football after that I’ve got no idea.
“I came out publicly and said I would have loved to have played on for one more year.
“I think I kicked 36 goals in my last season which was my most in my career so my footy was still doing the talking so to speak.
“I hope I don’t sound bitter because I prefer to look at the 21 years I did have rather than the one year I didn’t have, I’m certainly not bitter I love the football club and I still work there and absolutely love the place.”
Harvey feels footy clubs spend too much time worrying about the age of a player rather than looking at their output on the field.
“I look at Gary Ablett now. If he wasn’t 36, if he was 28, he would sign a two-year deal because of the football he’s still capable of,” he said.
“We do get sucked in a little bit on age and we’re always looking for that young kid to come through and take your spot, but to be honest with you eight times out of 10 that young kid doesn’t step up to the plate and take your spot anyway.
“I think you’ve got to look after the veterans first, but I hope I’m not getting taken out of context because I’m certainly not bitter about the way it ended.
“Yes, I would have loved to play one more year, but I didn’t and that’s the reality of it so it’s all good.”
Harvey played 23 games in his final season, averaging 21.6 disposals per game as well as kicking a career-high 36 goals.