While Brent Harvey's three-week suspension may have come as a blow to a number of fantasy fans as well as the North Melbourne management, the finals-seeking club are looking to take the positives from what is a huge negative. Looking to end an absence from the finals that dates back to 2007, the Roos fans were devastated to see the veteran handed a three week suspension following his tipping of Western Bulldogs Liam Picken in Round 21.
After unsuccessfully appealing the ban, both the club and the player have been forced to accept the AFL's decision and move on. With the ban now meaning Harvey's 19th season in the AFL could have come to an end unless North reach a semi-final, the Roos will have to do without the 36-year old in an elimination final that has split many betting on the game with http://www.bet365.com.au/news/en/betting/, as will those who have Harvey in their fantasy teams.

Despite his advancing years, this has been Harvey's best season in terms of fantasy points; averaging a career-high 99.7 in his 20 appearances this year, including a huge 144 points in Round 9. While it remains to be seen whether the veteran is able to improve those figures this season, Harvey will be working behind the scenes to help his North Melbourne team-mates give him the best chance of doing so, starting this weekend in Hobart against an Adelaide Crows side looking to cement their place in the top-eight.

As well as Harvey, winger Daniel Wells also finds himself unavailable for the crunch game in Tasmania through suspension, robbing Roos head coach Brad Scott most effective line-breakers. But while Harvey won't be able to help his team-mates on the field, the veteran will be in Hobart with the squad working behind the scenes with the young team and trying to use his experience to add something in the locker room in the hope of making up for his costly error against the Bulldogs.

Scott admitted it was a sizeable blow to lose Harvey at such a crucial part of the campaign and made it clear the 36-year old was now focused on supporting the club over the next three weeks of his suspension as the Roos attempt to spring a major surprise and reach the semi-finals, by which time the North Melbourne stalwart will have served his ban.

'He's a really good player, really good players get attention. He's disappointed, we're disappointed. Now we need 'Boomer' to support us over the next three weeks, and help galvanise the team to get the results we want, so that he's available, he can get out on the field and repay us,” said Scott ahead of the Adelaide clash.

'He's got a great football mind. He sees the game really well. I think he coaches the game really well. So he'll play a really active role. He'll be in Hobart with us this weekend, he'll be with us every step of the way.'
<div>