Brent Harvey’s signing at North Heidelberg set to benefit rival Northern Football League clubs

The Bulldogs’ announcement the AFL games record-holder was joining his brother Shane at the club went viral on social media this week.

Coach Steve Saddington said the club had been “inundated with phone calls”.

“People from all over the country that barrack for North Melbourne want to come watch him and people are talking about getting memberships,” Saddington said.

The 38-year-old’s signing will also have spin-off effects for other Division 2 clubs, with North Heidelberg’s rivals sure to see some benefits on the gate.

“Even in away games, there will be people coming there to watch him,” Saddington said.

“He’s always the first person there and last to leave and he will be happy to help other clubs as well.”

League chief executive Peter McDougall said Harvey’s signing was “a great thing for the entire Northern Football League”.

Harvey’s oldest son, Cooper, plays at Yarrambat in the juniors.

“It is great for North Heidelberg that they’ve got the ability to attract a player of Boomer’s calibre, but it is also great for the league and all the clubs in Division 2 who get an opportunity to play against such a great player,” McDougall said.

“It is great the Northern Football League can be a league where players can come straight from the AFL into a community league with confidence.

“That applies to all our clubs that we can be a league of choice rather than players deciding to play elsewhere for various reasons.”