Even in his 15th AFL season, North Melbourne captain Brent Harvey is surprising people how great a player he is.

The veteran Kangaroo, who makes up for in impact what he lacks in size, was at his magnificent best on Sunday when he starred in North's 19.15 (129) to 14.9 (93) win over Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Harvey had a game-high 32 disposals, had a direct hand in five goals for teammates and kicked two himself, including the one that ensured North's seventh win of the season.

Port tried two of their better stoppers - captain Domenic Cassisi and then Kane Cornes - on him and despite Power coach Mark Williams' insistence the latter did OK, he had to concede Harvey was something special.

"Without doubt Harvey is an absolute champion," Williams said.

"Some of the things he can come up with when the side's under the pump, he will be held in high esteem by North for a long time."

When Port had crept to within 15 points in the last quarter, Harvey took two bounces and snapped a great goal that stamped out the Power's comeback.

Just as impressive was his work in setting up teammates, such as when he was hemmed deep in the pocket but kicked with the outside of the boot to Ed Lower virtually dead in front of goal the quarter earlier.

It was that unselfishness that drew deep praise from North coach Brad Scott, who admitted that before he was appointed coach at Arden Street he lacked the appreciation of how much Harvey brought others into play.

"I've been pleasantly surprised by just how much of a team player he is," Scott said.

"Outside perceptions, and I was included in that up until this year, I thought he was just an outstanding player, but some of the team-oriented stuff that he does previously has gone unnoticed."

Harvey is 32, has played 292 games and rarely plays in front of the big crowds other clubs do given North's comparatively poor attendance records.

But Scott said he belonged in the highest bracket and still had a way to go.

"He is a genuine superstar," he said.

"I agree with most other people when they say we throw that term around pretty loosely, but he is a genuine superstar.

"He does things that others can't do."

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