“It’s a heartbreaking decision”: Kangaroos dump four veterans, including Boomer
North Melbourne have dropped a bombshell on the eve of the finals, with four veterans – including in-form AFL games record-holder Brent Harvey – not being offered contracts for next year.
Brent Harvey is chaired from the ground by Drew Petrie and Michael Firrito after breaking the AFL games record. All three, as well as Nick Dal Santo, have been told their time is up at North Melbourne. Photo: Julian Smith / AAP
Harvey joins spearhead Drew Petrie, defender Michael Firrito and former St Kilda star Nick Dal Santo in being shown the door by the Kangaroos, who will finish the home and away season in eighth spot after previously leading the competition with nine wins from their first nine games.
The club announced this morning it had made “the difficult decision not to re-contract four of its most decorated players”.
“The club has advised Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito that 2016 would be their last season at Arden Street,” it said.
Harvey has played 430 games, breaking Michael Tuck’s 426-match record just last month.
Petrie has been the club’s leading goal-kicker five times, including last season.
Coach Brad Scott addressed a media conference at Arden Street shortly after the shock announcement, telling reporters breaking the news to the players yesterday was the hardest day of his AFL coaching career.
“I spoke to all four boys yesterday and it was easily the hardest day in my coaching career,” Scott said, having joined North in 2009.
He suggested all four could have played on based on current form but the eighth-placed Kangaroos had to start planning beyond next season.
“I can understand, I can empathise the disappointment and the emotion that is involved in this.
“It’s a heartbreaking decision… a decision that wasn’t taken lightly.
“I understand a lot of fans will be disappointed, particularly [for] some of the players. But I’m charged with the responsibility of putting this football club in a really strong position over the long term.”
The squad trained at Arden Street on Wednesday shortly after Harvey, Petrie, Firrito and Dal Santo addressed their teammates.
“[They spoke] about how important it is – that we’re really professional and launching an assault on the finals this year,” Scott said.
“They’re all very, very disappointed and understandably so.
“They’re all playing at a really high level. Boomer in particular has… burst through the 400-game barrier.
“To the boys’ credit, to a man they’ve all talked about while they’re really disappointed they completely understand where they football club is coming from.
“They dealt with things in an unbelievably professional and honourable manner.”
Scott also defended the timing of the announcement, adding it was possible Saturday night’s clash with Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium will be the last opportunity for Victorian fans to farewell the champion quartet.
Depending on round 23 results, North’s 2016 campaign could end with an away elimination final loss to Adelaide, the Giants or West Coast.
While Petrie and Dal Santo have endured inconsistent campaigns, Harvey had expressed a strong desire to play on, with the 38-year-old’s maintaining solid form in his 21st season.
-with AAP
