Brent Harvey responds to criticism after controversial 50m penalty against West Coast
June 08, 2015 9:27PM
NORTH Melbourne champion Brent Harvey has fired back at the haters after coming under fire for extracting a controversial 50m penalty.
Harvey claimed the penalty deep in the last quarter of Saturday night’s thrilling win over West Coast at Blundstone Arena.
The 37-year-old laid a fair tackle on Matthew Priddis, close to the boundary line on the wing, to earn himself a holding-the-ball decision.
With the umpire blindsided, the wily 394-game veteran tapped the ball out of the Eagle midfielder’s hands and cheekily appealed for the penalty.
Harvey refused to back away from the incident on Monday despite an avalanche of feedback on social media.
“At the time of the game it was crucial and I thought a 50m penalty was hugely to our advantage so I took the opportunity,” Harvey told ABC Grandstand.
“A lot of people said it was cheating, I think it was cheeky and opportunist at the very best.
“Would I do it again? Absolutely, I do a lot of things to win and I’m not ashamed of that.
“It’s opportunist and I took that opportunity to give our team an advantage.”
Harvey played on from the penalty to set up a shot-at-goal for Lindsay Thomas.
Fox Footy expect Jonathan Brown praised Harvey for his smarts in the situation.
“That’s good leadership ... I thought he did really well,” Brown said On The Couch.
Harvey was central to the Kangaroos 10-point win with 24 disposals (eight contested) and a big third-quarter goal.
But it was his last quarter which proved the difference, racking 11 disposals including four score involvements and a whopping 224 metres gained.
It was against the spirit of the game and it was a ridiculously bad decision by the umpire given he couldn't see it but that was the norm with the umpiring in that game (Both Ways) but i don't blame Harvey for doing it, Do what you can to win a game of footy.
MJ_23 wrote:It was against the spirit of the game and it was a ridiculously bad decision by the umpire given he couldn't see it but that was the norm with the umpiring in that game (Both Ways) but i don't blame Harvey for doing it, Do what you can to win a game of footy.
It's not how I like to win, especially knowing that millions of people are going to be watching.
its not really any different to holding a player behind the ball, or giving someone a cheap jab in a pack etc. All of that is against the rules and spirit of the game.
Boomer was just unlucky that the camera caught it perfectly. And also that the umpire guessed. If there was no 50 given we wouldnt be talking about this
bennymacca wrote:its not really any different to holding a player behind the ball, or giving someone a cheap jab in a pack etc. All of that is against the rules and spirit of the game.
Boomer was just unlucky that the camera caught it perfectly. And also that the umpire guessed. If there was no 50 given we wouldnt be talking about this
bennymacca wrote:its not really any different to holding a player behind the ball, or giving someone a cheap jab in a pack etc. All of that is against the rules and spirit of the game.
Boomer was just unlucky that the camera caught it perfectly. And also that the umpire guessed. If there was no 50 given we wouldnt be talking about this
Lightning McQueen wrote:It's quite simple, if you like North Melbourne, it's acceptable, if you don't like North, it's disgraceful.
doesn't apply to all. i really like boomer.
I can't stand the little prick. He's carved us up numerous times and he won't be missed by me when he finally gives it away.
426 games for Tuck, 393* for Harvey. 12 to go this year gets him to 405 without any finals this year.
Surely he goes around at least one more year? So, barring injury or suspension at the end of next year he'd be 427 without any finals this year or next.
