More than 1700 angry football fans have signed petitions calling on North Melbourne to extend Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey’s contract.

The decision to axe Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito has been criticised by former players and football fans.

An online petition calling for Harvey’s contract to be renewed had received 1725 supporters by Thursday morning.

Lynda Harmer, who launched the petition, wrote that Harvey “deserves to retire on his own terms”.

“He consistently performs at high standard and his presence on the field has the ability to ignite his teammates,” the petition reads.

“He is currently ranked in the top 50 players in the AFL and pulls stats week in week out that are better than players 15 years his junior.”

Heidi Swallow, one of the petition signatories, questioned whether cutting Harvey was in the club’s best interests.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott and Brent Harvey. Photo: Getty.

“At the age of 38, [Harvey] is fit, competitive, physically-abled and outplays the majority of men half his age and was one of North’s best on field most weeks including last week despite a loss!” she wrote.

King ‘baffled’ by North’s decision

David King, a former premiership player for North Melbourne, criticised the club’s handling of the matter.

“At some point, we needed to see those guys on their own terms in front of the camera and … tell us how the finish is going to come and basically let us celebrate as fans,” he said in an interview on Fox Footy.

“You have one chance to exit your stars, and I feel they’ve made a meal of it.”

Harvey has been one of North’s best players this season, averaging 21.2 disposals per game.

King said replacing Harvey would be difficult if not impossible.

“There’s not many in the competition that get 20 disposals a week on average and kick you a goal a game,” he said.

“Why is it Boomer’s position? Why is that the one that needs a young fellow in it? That baffles me.”