BRENT Harvey could have been one of the highest paid players in the league had he accepted an offer from Carlton in the early 2000s.

In an extract from his autobiography released by afl.com.au, the record breaking Roo reveals how Denis Pagan made an aggressive pitch for him in the early 2000s that included the Blues captaincy.

“This proposal was significant and one I head around,” Harvey wrote.

“There’s no doubt, if I had accepted it, I would have been in the top-five highest paid players in the competition.”

Round 18

“I can honestly say, even if the Blues’ offer had been a million dollars a year, I still would have knocked it back.

“I swear on my kids: no offer would have swayed me because what I was earning was more than fair and North meant the world to me.”

At around the same time, Hawthorn came knocking with a three-year, $1.2 million deal.

As history shows, Harvey elected to remain at Arden Street for less money and was named skipper in 2009. He held the position for three seasons.

The 38-year-old is set to break the all-time VFL/AFL games record this weekend when he plays his 427th senior match.

Boomer (Macmillan) is available here.

NO REGRETS: PAV RESTS EASY

FREMANTLE great Matthew Pavlich says he is comfortable with his decision to play on in 2016.

Speaking ahead of his 350th game, the former captain believes he has played an important role this year in a team that has won just three matches.

“I don’t have any regrets, I’m really content with my decision to play on. In a lot of ways, I’m extremely fulfilled,” Pavlich told AFL 360.

“I feel like I’ve contributed really strongly to the team. It’s been a challenging year, we haven’t really got the ball in our forward half anywhere near as much as we’d like and as a forward you’re always a byproduct of what’s going on up the field.”

The 34-year-old suggested he will walk into retirement happy that he has left no stone unturned to get everything out of his body.

“I really feel now, with these last four or five rounds to go, that by the end of that the sponge will be absolutely, complete wrung dry,” he said.



“I’ll have nothing left to give and feeling quite fulfilled.

Despite the team’s poor performance Pavlich said there have been “little wins” that he has enjoyed this season, especially working with and seeing the development of some of the youngsters.

“In some ways, I can leave … some type of legacy about hard work, determination and fighting through when times are tough,” he said.

”I’m looking forward to finishing the season off individually in good form but helping launch my teammates towards 2017.”

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BOYD SHOULD TAKE PAY CUT: MOONEY

UNDER fire Western Bulldogs key forward Tom Boyd should offer to take a pay cut, believes North Melbourne and Geelong premiership player Cameron Mooney.

Boyd was lured to the Dogs on big money after spending just one year at GWS, but Mooney believes the 20-year-old’s finances are proving to be a distraction.

“I do feel sorry for him (Boyd), because there is so much pressure building on this kid and he is still just a kid,” Mooney told the Herald Sun.

“He needs to take some of that pressure off, because I think he has got talent, but how long before we see it consistently?

“He could say, ‘take $100,000 off my contract for the next four years’ and that could help get a fantastic player like Michael Hurley, because they desperately need another key defender.

“And it would cast him in such a great light at the club because it would show that he is thinking more of the club rather than himself.”

A-OK FOR ANGUS

Suspended Port Adelaide ball-winner Angus Monfries will be offered a contract for the 2017 season.

Fairfax Media is reporting that the Power will not confirm the 29-year-old’s deal until after the season.

Monfries is one of the 34 current and past Bombers who are banned for 12 months. It was believed that his position on Port Adelaide’s list may be in jeopardy with Ken Hinkley refusing to guarantee a contract for the ex-Don.

Monfries has been holidaying recently with old teammates such as Jobe Watson and Michael Hurley.

It is unclear whether he will be offered a rookie or a senior list position for 2017. His suspension expires on November 13.

Josh Jenkins and Billy Longer. Photo Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

SAINTS RE-SIGN RUCK DUO

ST KILDA has received a double boost, with big men Lewis Pierce and Billy Longer both signing on until the end of 2018.

Neither has been able to remove Tom Hickey from his first-choice ruck position this year, but Saints Chief Operating Officer Ameet Bains was still delighted after obtaining their signatures.

“We’re really pleased to be able to lock down two talented young ruckmen who have significant scope for improvement,” Bains told the club’s website.

“Competition for the No. 1 ruck spot is fierce, which has been highly beneficial for all involved. With all fit ruckmen striving to play senior football, the results speak for themselves this season.”

Pierce debuted in Round 12, while Longer has struggled with shoulder and concussion issues and has not played senior football since last year.

“It’s been a tough year for Billy due to his shoulder reconstruction and concussion, but we only need to look back to last year to see how much potential he has,” Bains said.