In a touching moment, North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey was the one to deliver the news to his son Cooper regarding his AFL debut.
The 18-year-old, who was taken with pick 56 in the 2022 draft, will play his first senior game against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium this Sunday.
The AFL’s games record holder ‘Boomer’, who is a development coach at Arden Street, was told by caretaker coach Brett Ratten to inform Cooper he had been selected.
“Hey, make sue you train well, you have to train well today,” Boomer said to his son, via NMFC Media.
“What’s been the focus with Browny (head of development Gavin Brown) the last month?”
Cooper: “The first three steps.”
Boomer: “Yeah, go hard.
“Just make sure you train well, because you’re going to play this week.”
Cooper: “Really?”
Boomer: “‘Ratts’ told me just then. He said, ‘Go and tell Cooper to make sure he trains well, he’s going to play’.”
Ensue smiles and excitement from Harvey Jnr and an embrace with the old man.
Harvey Snr followed up: “I’m very proud of you mate.”
Watch the video below:
"I'm very proud of you mate ... it's a long time coming." 🫂
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) July 6, 2023
Father and son moments don't come much more precious than this 🥺
📝: https://t.co/bN58MZ31zn#Kangas pic.twitter.com/3EJZpZ4gr3
The 180cm Cooper Harvey has been in dangerous form in the VFL, kicking 5.3 from 14 disposals against Wiliamstown last weekend.
He has kicked 9.7 in his last three games for the Roos’ reserves for a season tally of 20.13 from 11 matches with an average of 13 disposals.
Cooper will play his first AFL game just under seven years after Brent made his 432nd and final appearance in the royal blue and white.