Brent Harvey (born 14 May 1978), often known by his nickname "Boomer", is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He holds the record for most matches played by an individual in AFL history, breaking Michael Tuck's previous record in 2016.
Drafted by the Kangaroos in the third round of the 1995 AFL Draft, Harvey played in his only premiership side in 1999, following an E. J. Whitten Medal victory playing for Victoria in the State of Origin series. He won the Syd Barker Medal in 2003, as well as the Jim Stynes Medal in the International rules series, captaining the Australian team in the 2008 International Rules Series.
A highlight of his 2003 season was against Carlton at the Telstra Dome in Round 22. Playing in his 150th game, Harvey kicked three goals in the Roos' record-breaking 124-point victory.
He was the only North Melbourne player to have played every game at Manuka Oval during North Melbourne's nine-year stint at the venue.
In 2007 Harvey polled 22 votes in the Brownlow Medal, finishing equal second and in 2008 Harvey polled 17 votes to finish in eighth place despite being one of the favourites to win the award in both years.
In 2010, the week after a career-low five possession game against St Kilda, Harvey led North Melbourne to a 25-point win over West Coast Eagles with a career-best 44 disposals, along with 11 marks, six goal scoring assists and one goal. Harvey also almost kicked a candidate for goal of the year, taking seven bounces of the ball in a run from defence before hitting the post with his shot at goal. In 2011, playing his 312th game, he broke Glenn Archer's all-time club record for games played.
Harvey's grandfather, Bill Harvey, played two games for North Melbourne in 1948. His brother, Shane Harvey, played 14 games for Essendon and North Melbourne from 2002 to 2004.
In Round 17 of the 2015 AFL season, Harvey played his 400th career game, becoming the first North Melbourne player to do so and fourth overall. He kicked two goals in a performance that suggested his career was far from over.
In Round 19 of the 2016 AFL season, Harvey broke the all-time record for most AFL matches by a player; the previous record was held by Michael Tuck. The Kangaroos wore the number 427 applied to the vertical royal blue bars of their guernseys, and the number 50 on the 50-metre arc was replaced by 29, the number Harvey has worn for his entire AFL career. In August, North Melbourne announced they would not renew his contract for the 2017 season.
On Friday October 7th 2016 at the 2016 Syd Barker Medal night Brent Harvey announced his retirement from AFL football, choosing not to wear another clubs jersey although his form could allow him to do so.
Statistics
| Legend |
|---|
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
Honours and achievements
| Brownlow Medal votes |
| Season | Votes |
|---|
| 1996 | — |
| 1997 | — |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 22 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| Total | 187 |
| Key: |
| Green / Bold = Won |
- Team
- AFL Premiership (Kangaroos): 1999
- McClelland Trophy (North Melbourne): 1998
- NAB Cup (North Melbourne): 1998
- VFL Premiership (North Melbourne): 1996
- Individual
- E. J. Whitten Medal: 1999
- Syd Barker Medal: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 (tied with Brady Rawlings)
- All-Australian: 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008
- Australian Representative Honours in International Rules Football: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008 (C)
- Jim Stynes Medal: 2003
- Lou Richards Medal: 2007, 2008
- Herald Sun Player of the Year: 2008
- Archer–Hird Medal: 2009, 2011
- North Melbourne F.C. Team of the Century
- Most senior AFL games: 432
Taurus