BRENT Harvey will get the chance to break Michael Tuck's VFL/AFL games record after re-signing with North Melbourne for 2016.
North announced on Thursday that Harvey, 37, had signed a new one-year deal that will extend his career into a 21st season. Only Dustin Fletcher, who is this year in his 23rd season, has had a longer VFL/AFL career.
There had been speculation Harvey, 37, could look to play on at another club next season after Roos coach Brad Scott refused to guarantee his future in the lead-up to his 400th game in round 17 against the Brisbane Lions.
Scott said at the time that the five-time club best-and-fairest winner had to demonstrate over the remainder of the season that he was still capable of "playing his role for the team".
In the four games since, Harvey has averaged 22.8 possessions and two goals a match to prove he is capable of extending his career into a 21st season.
Harvey told reporters on Thursday that despite the conjecture about his future he would never have left North for another club.
"I have been here for 20 years. I'm a North Melbourne person, it would be pretty silly for me to up and move to another football club now," he said.
"I've had opportunities to leave this great football club and I certainly haven't taken them.
"That was never on the cards, I wouldn't have thought, from my end or from the football club's end. A little bit of speculation maybe, but that's about it."
Earlier on Thursday, Harvey had told North's website that his relationship with Scott remained healthy.
"I had some really good dialogue with Brad, I've been sitting down with him the past five weeks on Tuesday going through my game and things like that," Harvey said.
"So obviously he thinks I'm still capable and thinks I can still contribute to the North Melbourne Football Club and that's the most important thing for me, like I've said for the past four years."
Against Fremantle this Sunday, Harvey will move to outright second on the AFL games list when he plays his 404th game, overtaking Richmond great Kevin Bartlett.
Tuck's record sits at 426 games, but Harvey is well placed to overtake it given his extraordinary durability.
The four-time All Australian has not missed a game through injury since 2009 and if he plays the Roos' remaining three home and away games this year he would need to play 20 games in 2016 to equal Tuck and 21 to overtake him.
Of course, Harvey's task will be made easier if, as appears likely, North plays a final or finals this year.
Harvey said he doubted talk of breaking Tuck's record would become a distraction next year.
"I think it's been talked about already. Every interview I do it gets brought up, so I'm happy with where that sits," he said.
"I don't play to break Michael Tuck's record, that's for sure.
"I'm here for one reason and one reason only.
"I probably would have hung up the boots if I didn't believe that this club could go to the pinnacle and that's to win a premiership and that's certainly my drive."
