An unrivalled approach to his preparation has enabled Brent Harvey to equal the all-time VFL/AFL games record, North’s Director of Football Geoff Walsh says.

Harvey is set to play his 426th match in the royal blue and white against Collingwood on Friday night, joining elite company alongisde former Hawthorn great Michael Tuck.

"His enthusiasm just to turn up to training is quite obvious and it's enduring,” Walsh told The Age.

"It's probably why he's approaching the milestone of being the player who has played the most games in the history of the competition. It [his love of training] is rare.

"He is obsessive with preparation; he's meticulous with routine.”

With all things going to plan, Harvey will become the games’ record holder against St Kilda next week.

While his body has held up amazingly well since his debut in 1996, the 38-year-old’s determination is perhaps his greatest asset.

"I think the mental strength of doing something over and over again until you get it right, or until you get better at it is a real attribute that Brent has,” Walsh said.

The lure of an elusive second premiership still very much Harvey's inspiration.

"The only [grand final win] he's played in, 1999, continues to drive him every year,” Walsh added.