Two-time Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey aims to bolster Collingwood’s midfield stocks by developing several of the younger Magpies to play extended periods of time in the engine room.
Harvey, who signed with the club as the midfield assistant coach on Tuesday, has already laid eyes on two players he thinks will play a key role in assisting established stars Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas.
“There are some really good young guys that I have seen from afar that hopefully can step up and play in the midfield which will help improve the team,” Harvey told CTV from the Westpac Centre gym.
“It’s hard to separate Swan, Pendlebury and Thomas but a Steele Sidebottom or Dayne Beams can look to push more into the midfield and become regular fixtures there.”
Harvey also spoke of his former teammate Luke Ball, who he played seven seasons with at St Kilda.
“I have known Luke a long time and how professional he is so it will be good to work with him again. It’s no surprise to me that he has made a great fist of his new club.”
The 383-game legend said it had been a tough month at St Kilda with the departure of the senior coach Ross Lyon.
“It’s been a big month.
“It was obviously a pretty tough decision to leave St Kilda but I feel it is in the best interest of my professional development going forward.
“So much had changed there in a short space of time. Ross Lyon’s resignation happened suddenly for the group. It took us all by surprise.
“I put my hand up for the senior job and I came out of that feeling that I needed to get away to gain more experience and really take a step up and get involved with another club.
“St Kilda was really supportive of that.”
Harvey was one of six applicants in the running for the senior role, which eventually went to former Magpie assistant coach Scott Watters.
“I had a really fair process that I went through. I did a presentation that I felt went pretty well.
“I was really short on that experience compared to some of the candidates.
"I was disappointed I didn’t get the job but no more than the other five guys.
“The main reason for my departure was for more experience.
“There is no bad blood between St Kilda and myself.”
Click here to view the 2012 finalised Collingwood coaching team.
