29 October 2026
AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge has profiled former HAD Football client Harvie Cooke as one of the standout prospects in the 2026 AFL National Draft.
Harvie, a 176cm midfielder and forward from the Northern Knights, had an outstanding 2026. He won the Morrish Medal as the Knights' Talent League best and fairest with 23 votes, despite missing six games for the national carnival. He averaged 24.7 disposals, 4.9 tackles and 5.4 inside 50s a game and kicked 13 goals in 14 games.
Playing for Vic Metro, he was named at half-forward in the Under 18 All-Australian team and finished fifth in the Larke Medal. At the National Draft Combine he finished top five in the 2km time trial and agility test, and top 10 in the running vertical jump.
In the article, Harvie names Collingwood's Lachie Schultz as his role model, for his ability to play tall and small, his contested marking and his pressure. "I think my versatility is my biggest strength," he says.
Harvie worked with HAD Football for two years. The first thing that stood out to Brad in some vision he received on Harvie, was his ability to tackle. It was ruthless. He thought to myself 'this player has some really well channelled aggression.' Then Brad saw him play in a trial for Northern and he was dynamic up forward. Missing out on Vic Metro after captaining the Knights Under 16 team, disappointed Harvie, like it does for many players. But Brad believe it often makes a player hungrier and is a blessing in disguise. Harvie's work ethic is unquestionable. He's got a great mix of offensive and defensive parts to his game.
We're proud of the work Harvie has put in and can't wait to see where his journey takes him.
Read the full article on AFL.com.au. Want to know what recruiters look for at the Combine? Read our Draft Ready series.