A Legacy of Loyalty and Longevity
Brent Harvey, affectionately known as ‘Boomer’, has held the record for the most VFL/AFL games played for an impressive 10 years. This achievement came after he surpassed the legendary Michael Tuck on 3,584 days — or 512 weeks — ago. Now, at the same age he was in 2016, Scott Pendlebury is set to take over the title.
Harvey reflects on his time as a one-club player with pride, noting that all but one of the six men in the 400-game club are also one-club players. The list includes:
- Scott Pendlebury – 432 games for Collingwood (2006 – current)
- Brent Harvey – 432 games for North Melbourne (1996 – 2016)
- Michael Tuck – 426 games for Hawthorn (1972 – 1991)
- Shaun Burgoyne – 407 games for Port Adelaide, Hawthorn (2002 – 2021)
- Kevin Bartlett – 403 games for Richmond (1965 – 1983)
- Dustin Fletcher – 400 games for Essendon (1993 – 2015)
This loyalty to a single club is something Harvey values greatly, though he acknowledges that the landscape of the AFL is changing. He notes that the introduction of free agency has made it more challenging for players to remain with their original clubs.
The Shift in Loyalty
Harvey believes that the AFL is becoming more like a business, where players are treated as assets rather than lifelong members of a team. “In the NRL, you know how they announce mid-season, ‘I’m leaving’ — we will get to that stage at some point,” he says.
He adds that while some players may choose to stay loyal, others are more likely to seek new opportunities. “One or two might stay and I love that, I love the loyalty part of it,” Harvey explains. However, he admits that this kind of loyalty is becoming rarer among veterans.
Of those who have played over 200 games, only 52% remain at the club they started with. This shift has led to a growing number of free agents, making it increasingly difficult for one-club players to thrive.
A Difficult Decision
For Harvey, staying with North Melbourne was a choice that ultimately led to the end of his career in 2016. Despite being in his prime, the Kangaroos decided to cut four veteran players, including Harvey, after a poor performance in the elimination final. At 38, he still had the physical ability to play at a high level, averaging 21.5 disposals and a goal per game that season.
There were clubs interested in signing him, but Harvey chose not to pursue those opportunities. “I’ve never told anyone [which clubs] and you’re not going to get it out of me,” he says. “They were both Melbourne clubs; one was more toward the bottom of the ladder and maybe wanted some leadership, and another team was probably there about to win.”
Despite the offers, Harvey’s commitment to being a one-club player won out. “I put my head on the pillow that night and I think I made the call at about 6:30 in the morning when I rang and said, ‘not for me’,” he recalls.
The Future of One-Club Players
While Harvey’s record of 432 games took 10 years to break, he believes it could be achieved again. He points to Harry Sheezel, a 21-year-old player who has missed just one game since being drafted in 2022. “If Harry can go around not clocking anyone and be a good boy, play a lot of finals football, he might be the one that gets there,” Harvey says.
However, maintaining such a long career requires dedication and sacrifice. According to Harvey, there are certain non-negotiables that helped him succeed, including being driven and selfish in his approach to the game. “You’ve got to be driven, and you’ve got to be selfish when you do that because it’s about you,” he explains.
Family support is also crucial. “You can’t do it without them and this is something I know Scott will talk about,” Harvey says, referring to Pendlebury’s own journey.
The Importance of Sacrifice
Harvey emphasizes that playing at the highest level requires personal sacrifices. “There are sacrifices, but then you wake up the next day and play AFL football,” he says. For him, the reward of representing North Melbourne was worth missing out on personal events like weddings and birthdays.
As the AFL continues to evolve, the tradition of one-club players may become even rarer. But for now, the legacy of players like Harvey and Pendlebury remains a testament to the power of loyalty and dedication in the sport.
