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David King argues Brent Harvey’s early exit reshaped the AFL games record now within Scott Pendlebury’s grasp.
North Melbourne great David King has reignited debate over Brent Harvey's retirement, arguing the club's 2016 decision may have altered the AFL games record landscape now within Scott Pendlebury's reach.
Pendlebury is set to equal or surpass Harvey's record of 432 games when Collingwood faces West Coast at the MCG on 23 May.
However, King believes the mark would be significantly higher had Harvey been given the chance to extend his career at North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos opted in 2016 to move on from several senior players, including Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo, as part of a broader list transition.
Harvey, then 37, chose to retire rather than continue at another club, despite indicating he felt capable of playing on.
Speaking this week, King criticised the decision, suggesting the club's subsequent recruitment did not justify the call to end Harvey's tenure.
He argued that replacing an experienced contributor with younger players did not deliver a clear on-field upgrade, and described the move as one of the poorest list management calls in the club's recent history.
Harvey's final season adds weight to the discussion. He kicked 36 goals, averaged 21.5 disposals, and produced 32 touches and three goals in his last match against Sydney.
Earlier this year, Harvey said he believed he had at least one more season left, noting both his form and mental readiness remained strong.
Had Harvey played on in 2017, projections suggest he could have extended his record beyond 450 games, potentially pushing it closer to 470 with another season. That scenario would have left Pendlebury needing additional years to reach the mark.
As it stands, Pendlebury is poised to claim the record within weeks, while the debate over Harvey's exit continues to shape how that milestone is viewed.