There are many superlatives for Brent Harvey but for Ben Brown, the most appropriate term to describe him is ‘teammate’.

Writing for the The New Daily, the key-forward says he has nothing but admiration for the little champion who is set to run out for his record breaking game.

“Before my arrival at North Melbourne, Boomer was one of the players I was most nervous and excited about meeting,” Brown reflected.

“After 21 seasons, you could understand if he had reached the point where he had had enough of dealing with the new players at the club, was content in the knowledge that the short term is all that matters in the twilight of his career … But that’s not the way he operates.”

Brown said he still marvels at the way ‘Boomer’ fronts up each day.

“From the way he attacks each day of training, Boomer is as spritely as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

“He views every training session as a chance to improve – you can see the pride he takes in hitting every target, running hard to receive a handball, and the sheer (and perhaps slightly smug) delight he takes in beating the other forwards in our post-training goal-kicking competitions.”

Harvey is the ultimate team player according to Brown and is driven by an unmatched desire.

“I believe it’s this unquenchable craving for success that separates Boomer from the rest.

“It’s the reason he is still striving for a second Premiership. He firmly believes this playing group is capable of winning a flag, and he knows how important the team around him is in achieving that success.”

Brown believes one of Boomer’s most admirable qualities is his level-headedness.

“He does not place himself on a pedestal. He sees himself as one among 44 other players.

“Despite the overwhelming level of his achievement, it has never felt like I, a young, shy and awkward kid from Tasmania, was not worth Boomer’s time.”