OPPOSITION clubs are yet to approach Brent Harvey about extending his career in the wake of his impending departure from North Melbourne at the end of this season.
Harvey's manager, Shane Casley of TLA-ESP, would not rule out Harvey playing on in 2017 when he spoke to SEN radio on Thursday morning, but said it was "a long shot".
North announced on Wednesday it would not offer Harvey, 38, and fellow out-of-contract veterans Drew Petrie, 33, Michael Firrito, 32, and Nick Dal Santo, 32, new deals at the end of this season,
The decision to move Harvey on was the biggest surprise, given the AFL games record holder has averaged 21 possessions a game and kicked 34 goals in 2016, and starred against the Sydney Swans last Saturday with 32 touches and three goals.
Casley said no opposition club had inquired about the four-time All Australian playing on with them in 2017.
"I wouldn't expect that they will while the footy season is on, and to be honest I haven't spoken to 'Boomer' at all or 'Drewy' (Petrie) about what next year looks like, whether it's following business careers or coaching careers or footy careers," Casley said.
"They're just really focused on finishing their careers at the Kangaroos as champions of the club and going out on a high.
"We'll catch up once the season's over and chat about all that."
Harvey's forced departure has prompted a backlash from some North fans and media commentators who believe his form warrants him playing on.
Casley had thought North would give Harvey one final one-year deal too.
"We've always said from Boomer's point of view if he's playing good footy, his body's right and his mind's right, he would want to go on," Casley said.
"We've said that as late as two or three weeks ago: 'We think he ticks all the boxes to go on and from that point of view he would like to'."
Casley had no issue with North's handling of Wednesday's announcement, however, confirming Harvey and Petrie had forced the club's hand on the timing of the decision by pushing to know their fates as soon as possible.
"I don't know what else they could do. At the end of the day the players didn't want to front the media and I totally get that," Casley said.
"They will at the right time when they think it's appropriate, but they just don't think it's now when the focus is on the club winning a game of footy this week.
"So what else could the club do once the players were told?
"It was us pushing them. They would have preferred to hold off a bit longer (on making the decision) to be honest."
