But entering the AFL system with his favourite club is a tall order for the 18-year-old, who grew up in the city's inner northern suburbs and never strayed too far from home when it came to his footy.
Commencing with the Broadview Football Club in under-9s, and later their crosstown rival Gaza - just a stone’s throw up North East Road - Harvey found himself catching the eye of talent scouts at North Adelaide.
Like all talented South Australian footballers, an invitation to join the talent squads of an SANFL club is a must if you're an AFL aspirant.
It’s the best way to progress into the SANFL’s underage competitions, state representation and, potentially, League or Reserves football.
It was there that Harvey honed his skills as a talent squad player, progressed through to North Adelaide’s Under-18s and later earned spots in South Australia’s national championships teams.
In tandem with his exploits at the Roosters, Harvey played First XVIII football in Adelaide’s independent schools competition - first for Blackfriars and then for St Peters College from year 10 through until year 12.
At Saints he was exposed to a quality of football to rival that of some amateur league and, indeed, SANFL games.
He captained the First XVIII side along with Crows draftee Riley Knight - a real honour at one of Adelaide’s most prestigious schools - and together the pair helped lead St Peters to the school’s first intercollegiate victory over Prince Alfred College in almost a decade.
There are three great football rivalries in South Australia. The first, undoubtedly, is that between Port Adelaide and the Crows - a crosstown animosity forged by virtue of being in a two-club AFL town.
The next is surely that between Port Adelaide and Norwood - the state’s two oldest senior football clubs who have won more premierships and competed in more grand finals than any other pair of Adelaide clubs.
The third, arguably, is the long and proud tradition of rivalry between Saints and Princes. It’s a rivalry that draws massive crowds of blue and maroon to Intercol games and passion and fury from the players on the field, and spectators off it.
Appropriate indeed that Harvey should have cut his teeth in games that enjoy crowds larger than most SANFL fixtures, for these are the pressure cooker environments he will be exposed to when the Magpies play the Redlegs in 2014.
Those matches are a microcosm of what he will experience if, one day, he suits up for the Power against the Crows.
Harvey knows junior grade experience is significant in moulding the player he may become at AFL level and he learned much playing in various grades and competitions during the last years of his schooling.
His drafting along with Knight and several other South Australian products was particularly significant for state football, but for the Saints duo particularly, being drafted to the crosstown rivals could create an interesting narrative for years to come.
Certainly for Harvey, the opportunity to front up against his former co-captain in SANFL or AFL football this year has certain appeals.
“Riley and I have been good mates for a long time and hopefully in a couple of years we can work hard and crack our senior teams, but we’re both still a fair way away from that yet,” Harvey told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully playing against him this year. And having a crack at him!”
Harvey rates the experience of Intercol football as one of his best in the game; the buildup, the hype, the bitter rivalry; it's something he knows will be useful if he’s selected to play for the Magpies in Round 1 against the Redlegs.
“I’ve played in three Intercol games against PAC [Prince Alfred College] and the anticipation and build up is massive, there’s lots of pressure around the game,” he says.
“Last year I think there were about 5,000 people around a small oval, at a school, with all the boys wearing their blazers and their families wearing school colours.
“I think it’s taught me a bit about pressure, but it won’t be anything like an AFL game or an AFL Showdown, even a big SANFL game.
“I went to the two Showdowns last year when we beat the Crows with 50,000 people on a massive stage, so there’s really no comparison to that environment, but I think for us as younger guys there’s benefit in playing in big games when you can at junior level.
“I’d really like to play in a few Showdowns one day, but seeing the fixture for the Maggies in Round 1 is against Norwood, I know SANFL games don’t get bigger than that.
“Hopefully I’ll play at least in that game. It’s a rivalry I’ve never been part of, but I’ve heard a lot about it since being here and I know Buddha wants to start the season really well against the reigning premiers.”
As a South Australian, Harvey understands the significance of the local AFL rivalry, the Showdown, the history between the Power and Crows and what football in the southern state is all about.
That knowledge is one advantage he has on draftees from other states who often come to Alberton with little knowledge of the South Australian football community, let alone the rich footballing history forged by Port Adelaide over 144 years.
But Harvey, as a dedicated Port man before arriving in November last year, knew exactly the sort of club he was coming to.
It’s a rare privilege to play for the club you grew up supporting.
“I’ve been a Port supporter since I was born because Dad was a big Power and Maggies fan and my grandfather was before him too, so I’ve grown up in a real Port Adelaide family,” Harvey explains.
“I was lucky enough to see th
e ’04 grand final and the Power’s first premiership.
Harvey knows junior grade experience is significant in moulding the player he may become at AFL level and he learned much playing in various grades and competitions during the last years of his schooling.
His drafting along with Knight and several other South Australian products was particularly significant for state football, but for the Saints duo particularly, being drafted to the crosstown rivals could create an interesting narrative for years to come.
Certainly for Harvey, the opportunity to front up against his former co-captain in SANFL or AFL football this year has certain appeals.
“Riley and I have been good mates for a long time and hopefully in a couple of years we can work hard and crack our senior teams, but we’re both still a fair way away from that yet,” Harvey told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully playing against him this year. And having a crack at him!”
Harvey rates the experience of Intercol football as one of his best in the game; the buildup, the hype, the bitter rivalry; it's something he knows will be useful if he’s selected to play for the Magpies in Round 1 against the Redlegs.
“I’ve played in three Intercol games against PAC [Prince Alfred College] and the anticipation and build up is massive, there’s lots of pressure around the game,” he says.
“Last year I think there were about 5,000 people around a small oval, at a school, with all the boys wearing their blazers and their families wearing school colours.
“I think it’s taught me a bit about pressure, but it won’t be anything like an AFL game or an AFL Showdown, even a big SANFL game.
“I went to the two Showdowns last year when we beat the Crows with 50,000 people on a massive stage, so there’s really no comparison to that environment, but I think for us as younger guys there’s benefit in playing in big games when you can at junior level.
“I’d really like to play in a few Showdowns one day, but seeing the fixture for the Maggies in Round 1 is against Norwood, I know SANFL games don’t get bigger than that.
“Hopefully I’ll play at least in that game. It’s a rivalry I’ve never been part of, but I’ve heard a lot about it since being here and I know Buddha wants to start the season really well against the reigning premiers.”
As a South Australian, Harvey understands the significance of the local AFL rivalry, the Showdown, the history between the Power and Crows and what football in the southern state is all about.
That knowledge is one advantage he has on draftees from other states who often come to Alberton with little knowledge of the South Australian football community, let alone the rich footballing history forged by Port Adelaide over 144 years.
But Harvey, as a dedicated Port man before arriving in November last year, knew exactly the sort of club he was coming to.
It’s a rare privilege to play for the club you grew up supporting.
“I’ve been a Port supporter since I was born because Dad was a big Power and Maggies fan and my grandfather was before him too, so I’ve grown up in a real Port Adelaide family,” Harvey explains.
“I was lucky enough to see th
e ’04 grand final and the Power’s first premiership."There’s been heaps of great players with the Maggies and I always took an interest in where they were at, even when I was at North.
“While I was obviously a North fan when I was playing there, and it’s going to be a little weird coming over to the Maggies and pulling on a black and white jumper to play against them, it’s something I’m very excited about.
“With legends like Russ Ebert still around the club and the premiership flags in our gym and the premiership teams on our wall, it really helps the players who come to the club, especially from Victoria, to understand what this club is all about.”
Training alongside the two remaining heroes of that 2004 premiership team in the current Power lineup has been a surreal experience for ‘Harvs’, but as much of a thrill it might be to have four-time best and fairest Kane Cornes playing pranks on you, it has been the welcoming environment that the 196-centimetre forward has found at Alberton Oval that has kept him going through the gruelling summer.
Now his focus is on getting fitter, skilled-up and better educated on the elite form of the game.
Working closely with the Power’s principal ruckman Matt Lobbe and second-year ruck/forward Mason Shaw, Harvey has found new friends and colleagues who will help him work towards becoming the power forward he was drafted to be.
“Genuinely, when I first came to the club, I felt so welcome," he says.
“I get along really well with Matt Lobbe and Mason Shaw who I’ve been working a lot with, and all the first-year boys like Darcy [Byrne-Jones], Jars [Jarman Impey], Sam Russell, Sam Gray and Karl Amon.
“You look around the club and you see most blokes are mates with the guys they get drafted with, but it’s also great that I feel comfortable enough to go and have a chat to senior guys like Dom or Kane. It’s a great thing about our club.
“It’s actually quite surreal that I grew up watching Dom and Kane and now I’m training with them.
“Kane played a prank on me in the gym the other day and it clicked that I’m mates with these guys I grew up idolising.
“In Dubai we were finishing a session and stretching and Kane was asking me about myself and I said ‘I don’t mean to make you feel old mate, but when I was eight years old I saw you play in a grand final!’
“They’re really good fellers and they all set the example for us younger blokes on the track. I know how hard it will be to make the elite level, but it’s good to know there are guys all around me who’ve done it before.”
Harvey's journey from a skilled underager into an AFL footballer will take time, effort and plenty of hard yards on track.
Improving his endurance running is one of his first priorities, and he’s realistic about the level he’s at as a mid-range draft pick in his first year.
Knowing he’ll likely spend the early part of his career playing for the Magpies, he’s enthusiastic about learning his trade under one of the greats of the game in Garry Hocking.
And while the competition for spots is as intense as ever, Harvey simply wants to play in a strong team of competitors - irrespective of whether they wear black, white and teal or a prison bar guernsey.
“The pre-season’s been a big developing stage for me, there’s a lot to learn and we’re still learning a lot of structures, work on some key areas and strengths I have and make them into weapons,” says Harvey.
“Also I’m probably a little bit behind in my running compared to some of the other blokes but I’ve been working closely with Burgo [Darren Burgess] to get on top of that.
“I know it’s a development year, but I also want to be as good as I can be for the club - as much as I do want to play for the Power, I’ve also got to be realistic about where I’m at.
“We’ve all got to learn a lot and develop as fast as we can. I want to play consistent footy and learn the structures under Buddha. We don’t come here to lose and because of that we all work hard together to get the results we want.
“In terms of where I’ll be playing, it will be predominantly forward. I’ve been working closely with Aaron Greaves on my ruck work as well as Matt Lobbe and Mason Shaw.
“Everyone’s up and running, there aren’t too many people in the rehab group and I think Round 1 selection will be really interesting.
“Both teams - the Power and Maggies - will be really strong and like Ken Hinkley says we’ll be playing to win at every level.”
Mitch Harvey on...
Captaining St Peter's First XVIII...
"I played First XVIII football from year 9 to year 12 at two schools - firstly Blackfriars from year 9 to the middle of year ten and then St Peters from then until the end of year 12."
"I was concerned about playing a lot of school footy at the beginning of last year because I think there’s a perception that some recruiters will overlook it, but we [him and Knight] invested a lot of time and effort into it and the competition ended up being really strong too, towards the end of the season especially.
"School footy and playing for the state was probably the biggest development phase for me over the journey, outside of this pre-season."
Staying in Adelaide...
"I still live with Mum and Dad in Prospect. It’s only a ten minute drive from training and I love the spot. I’ll probably stay at home for a little while because it’s pretty comfortable, especially with Mum doing the washing still!"
His favourite players...
"I've always liked the way 'Buddy' Franklin goes about it on the field, but for the Power I always loved watching Warren Tredrea, he's a great player and probably our best forward in the AFL. Last year I really liked watching Chaddy [Wingard] play - he's a freak!"
“While I was obviously a North fan when I was playing there, and it’s going to be a little weird coming over to the Maggies and pulling on a black and white jumper to play against them, it’s something I’m very excited about.
“With legends like Russ Ebert still around the club and the premiership flags in our gym and the premiership teams on our wall, it really helps the players who come to the club, especially from Victoria, to understand what this club is all about.”
Training alongside the two remaining heroes of that 2004 premiership team in the current Power lineup has been a surreal experience for ‘Harvs’, but as much of a thrill it might be to have four-time best and fairest Kane Cornes playing pranks on you, it has been the welcoming environment that the 196-centimetre forward has found at Alberton Oval that has kept him going through the gruelling summer.
Now his focus is on getting fitter, skilled-up and better educated on the elite form of the game.
Working closely with the Power’s principal ruckman Matt Lobbe and second-year ruck/forward Mason Shaw, Harvey has found new friends and colleagues who will help him work towards becoming the power forward he was drafted to be.
“Genuinely, when I first came to the club, I felt so welcome," he says.
“I get along really well with Matt Lobbe and Mason Shaw who I’ve been working a lot with, and all the first-year boys like Darcy [Byrne-Jones], Jars [Jarman Impey], Sam Russell, Sam Gray and Karl Amon.
“You look around the club and you see most blokes are mates with the guys they get drafted with, but it’s also great that I feel comfortable enough to go and have a chat to senior guys like Dom or Kane. It’s a great thing about our club.
“It’s actually quite surreal that I grew up watching Dom and Kane and now I’m training with them.
“Kane played a prank on me in the gym the other day and it clicked that I’m mates with these guys I grew up idolising.
“In Dubai we were finishing a session and stretching and Kane was asking me about myself and I said ‘I don’t mean to make you feel old mate, but when I was eight years old I saw you play in a grand final!’
“They’re really good fellers and they all set the example for us younger blokes on the track. I know how hard it will be to make the elite level, but it’s good to know there are guys all around me who’ve done it before.”
Harvey's journey from a skilled underager into an AFL footballer will take time, effort and plenty of hard yards on track.
Improving his endurance running is one of his first priorities, and he’s realistic about the level he’s at as a mid-range draft pick in his first year.
Knowing he’ll likely spend the early part of his career playing for the Magpies, he’s enthusiastic about learning his trade under one of the greats of the game in Garry Hocking.
And while the competition for spots is as intense as ever, Harvey simply wants to play in a strong team of competitors - irrespective of whether they wear black, white and teal or a prison bar guernsey.
“The pre-season’s been a big developing stage for me, there’s a lot to learn and we’re still learning a lot of structures, work on some key areas and strengths I have and make them into weapons,” says Harvey.
“Also I’m probably a little bit behind in my running compared to some of the other blokes but I’ve been working closely with Burgo [Darren Burgess] to get on top of that.
“I know it’s a development year, but I also want to be as good as I can be for the club - as much as I do want to play for the Power, I’ve also got to be realistic about where I’m at.
“We’ve all got to learn a lot and develop as fast as we can. I want to play consistent footy and learn the structures under Buddha. We don’t come here to lose and because of that we all work hard together to get the results we want.
“In terms of where I’ll be playing, it will be predominantly forward. I’ve been working closely with Aaron Greaves on my ruck work as well as Matt Lobbe and Mason Shaw.
“Everyone’s up and running, there aren’t too many people in the rehab group and I think Round 1 selection will be really interesting.
“Both teams - the Power and Maggies - will be really strong and like Ken Hinkley says we’ll be playing to win at every level.”
Mitch Harvey on...
Captaining St Peter's First XVIII...
"I played First XVIII football from year 9 to year 12 at two schools - firstly Blackfriars from year 9 to the middle of year ten and then St Peters from then until the end of year 12."
"I was concerned about playing a lot of school footy at the beginning of last year because I think there’s a perception that some recruiters will overlook it, but we [him and Knight] invested a lot of time and effort into it and the competition ended up being really strong too, towards the end of the season especially.
"School footy and playing for the state was probably the biggest development phase for me over the journey, outside of this pre-season."
Staying in Adelaide...
"I still live with Mum and Dad in Prospect. It’s only a ten minute drive from training and I love the spot. I’ll probably stay at home for a little while because it’s pretty comfortable, especially with Mum doing the washing still!"
His favourite players...
"I've always liked the way 'Buddy' Franklin goes about it on the field, but for the Power I always loved watching Warren Tredrea, he's a great player and probably our best forward in the AFL. Last year I really liked watching Chaddy [Wingard] play - he's a freak!"
