The Kangaroos midfielder was just 21 when he got the opportunity to represent his state – against South Australia in 1999 – and made the most of it, kicking five goals in the wet to earn the E.J. Whitten Medal.
Approaching 30 and with 248 games and an AFL premiership to his name, Harvey has a fresh perspective.
"I got to play there with some older, experienced guys and now I guess I'm one of those older, experienced guys," he said. "I am looking forward to running around with the likes of hopefully Jonathan Brown, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel ... it's going to be fantastic.
"I think a few of the older guys pulled out of that game [in 1999], I got a late call-up and had a run and didn't think I was going to get a game. I thought 'I'll just be in the training squad, make up a few of the numbers.' I got the nod, I got to play, it was a little bit wet and I was lucky enough to kick a few goals and walk away with the medal as well as winning the game."
With State of Origin football shelved after that match, Harvey said he'd be rapt for the concept to be brought back permanently after Saturday night's celebrations.
"I would like State of Origin to go around, I think it would be a great concept game where you play every three or four years, just so the younger guys really get the opportunity to represent their state because it really is exciting when you get to ... pull on that Big V jumper.
"Number one is the North Melbourne Football Club for me. I've played in a flag with them and that was obviously a dream come true. But state footy, I reckon if you don't get to play a lot of finals that's the next best thing. You get to play with a lot of players. The only thing is you don't get to train with them [a lot] and don't know each other's game styles as such. But you're going to go there and it's going to be a great game."
Victoria will have its first training session on Thursday afternoon, which Harvey says will be necessary to make some minor adjustments.
"Obviously we know each other's style to a certain degree, and we're going to have a couple of training sessions with each other," he said. "Just to mix with a few of those guys and see the way they prepare and go about their footy, that's going to be pretty exciting within itself I reckon.
"The Dream Team get two training sessions with each other as well so there's no advantage there and I'm just so looking forward to getting out on the track and having a training session and hopefully playing with the boys."
Plenty of tickets are still available for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match from Ticketmaster, either online at ticketmaster.com.au or via the Ticketmaster phone booking service on 1300 136 122.
