Congratulations Robert Harvey

[Lee Bowyer]

A true humble champion. Never reported, always fair, has played with harsh treatment from opposition players on many occasions but puts up with it without a couplaint. Never argues with the umpire. A truly fair player.

Averages 28 quality possessions a game over his career which says a lot!

 

[dan warna]

A true humble champion. Never reported, always fair, has played with harsh treatment from opposition players on many occasions but puts up with it without a couplaint. Never argues with the umpire. A truly fair player.

Averages 28 quality possessions a game over his career which says a lot!

got fined in a melee, appealed it as he said that he was separating other players, but collis(?) uphead the fine.

the video probably supported harveys version of events, but they found him guilty of wrestling, despite the video !!!

still 300 games and a fine for wrestling isn't too bad

 

[CrowBoi]

Onya Harv's!

Has been a pleasure watching you run around, albeit for the opposition over the years... No-one comes close...

 

[Kildonan]

My twelve year old son did a lecturette at school (had to be a famous Australian) - I've omitted the pictures, but here's the text of it:

Full Name: Robert Harvey
Date of Birth: 21st August 1971
Born in Melbourne, Victoria


Robert Harvey is an AFL footballer that has achieved the level of Superstar. He plays for the Saint Kilda club, in Melbourne, Victoria. The Saint Kilda football club have improved from their past achievements. Robert Harvey has always remained with the club he loves.
In each and every week, Robert Harvey has played his heart out for the Saints, and has won the admiration of the St Kilda followers and also many opposition fans. He is noted for being one of the fairest players to have ever pulled on a boot and is an inspiration to his teammates with his work ethic, on the training field and games. He is also an inspiration to other young players through their sporting careers.

In 1988, as a 17 year old, Robert Harvey played his first game for Saint Kilda. By 1990 (19 years old) he was already recognised as one of the best players in the team. He ran third in the best and fairest award that year.

At the age of 21, he was selected in the All-Australian team, which means he was considered the best player in Australia in the position that he plays – Ruck Rover.

He was selected in the All-Australian team again in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2003. (He was injured for much of the season during 2001 and 2002).
The Australian AFL team plays Ireland each year in a game called International Rules. This is a mixture of AFL and Gaelic football (Irish football).

Robert Harvey has won the Brownlow medal twice, 1997 and 1998. This award is given to the player who has been selected by the umpires as the best player and the fairest player. This is the most popular award in the AFL.

Other awards that Robert Harvey has won include the E.J. Whitten Medal. (1992, 1993, 1996) and the AFLPA MVP award (1997) which is the player chosen by all the other AFL players as the most valuable player in the league.

Robert Harvey captained St Kilda football club in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 the coach of St Kilda, Grant Thomas, asked Robert Harvey to stand down as captain because he wanted to change the way things were done at the club. Grant Thomas’s idea was to make a new player captain each year.

Robert Harvey is admired for his football ability, but it is more the spirit of how he played the game that makes him special – he is the fairest player and he tries when all others have given up hope.

He is a very hard worker, training before the others arrive and after others have left training. He is so fit that when others begin to tire he just gets better. His efforts inspire the younger players to work harder in order to improve themselves.

He is a man who does not show off to make himself look better than others.

Every year, each new captain of Saint Kilda will receive a medal in Robert Harvey’s honour. Known as the Robert Harvey medal.

Lastly he is an inspiration to us all – a role model and an example of how hard work can bring success.

 

[garth p]

Banger is the best player I have ever seen, and, according to my father , the best Saints player of all time.

 

[gosaints]

Congratulations to Rob Harvey, the greatest player I have ever seen and the biggest reason I have always been proud to be a St.Kilda supporter during a time of little success. Just an out and out champion and even though he has won many awards, still doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

 

[MaccasNeighbour]

A brilliant, hard working and consistent player.....unfortunately a big contrast to most of his team mates for a lot of his career.

Glad to see him play his final seasons with a squad he deserves.

 

[Jars458]

At his best, he was better than Voss, no doubt in my mind.

A true champion who plays it hard and fair. Harves is also humble which is great trait for a champion. His handling of winning the Brownlow when Grant got more votes, was first class.

In the 97 GF, Kane Johnson was said to have done well on him yet he still got over 30 touches.

I would be happy for the Saints to win the flag as Harves deserves the ultimate finish to a great career.

 

[SensibleCommentator]

what can you say but AMAZING! No one and I mean no Footballer has ever been able to consistently shrug as many tackles from the hips as Harvey has been able to. BOG friday night at 32 is still getting BOG's.NoOne deserves this premiership more and it is the only thing that might get the saints accross the line.


BTW Stevens?? dont talk about him in the same vein please! not in same league (harvey = skill and hard work) and harvey would never castrate his own team mate on national TV. (source 1997 preliminary Finlal)

 

[mocaholic]

A filthy sniping mongrel, a skilless coward, a whinging crock and a goddamn cheat. With an ugly wife. (Well, anything to liven up this boring thread!!)



Congratulations Harves, every fan wishes they had you in their team....wouldn't have hurt us on Friday night, that's fer sure. A great player and worthy of all the accolades he has received. A Norm Smith'd round out the trophy cabinet just nicely.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

BTW Stevens?? dont talk about him in the same vein please! not in same league (harvey = skill and hard work)

F off.

Back to the point. Harvey is a champion player who has been truly remarkable in showing the same skills, commitment and top attitude whether the team around him has been running hot or cold. Every club would love one of him. Plus he seems to be playing as well as ever, and is charging at this milestone rather than limping to the line - astonishing, he may play for ever. Congratulations on the 300.

 

[Joffaboy]

Thanks to Ian Collins.

Always has to be one negative F.wit

Tell me flametosser what is the brownlow for? Fairest and Best. Harvey was not suspended for striking like Grant in '97. If grant hadn't punched the player he would have won it.

Blame Grant's recklessness, not Harvey.

Well done Banger.

True Saints champion. Offered more money to play elsewhere, but chose to stay at the Saints.

A truly loyal champion player and bloke.

300 games,and hardly a bad one.

 

[itsintheblood]

Robert Harvey would have to be one of the games' greatest ever players. Not held in the same regard as buckley, hird, voss for whatever reason but is a true champion of the game.

A dual browlow medalist who is one of THE fairest ever to have played. Goes about his business and plays footy to the best of his ability 110% of the time. One of my favourite ever players.

CONGRATS HARVS.

A flag would be fitting for him to retire.

 

[gosaints]

Robert Harvey would have to be one of the games' greatest ever players. Not held in the same regard as buckley, hird, voss for whatever reason but is a true champion of the game.

Just out of curiosity, how do you rate Banger when comparing him to these other great champions??

 

[itsintheblood]

Just out of curiosity, how do you rate Banger when comparing him to these other great champions??

I would say he's right up there with the best without a doubt. I would have him well above buckley for starters.

I'd go Voss, Hird, Harvey, daylight, buckley.

 

[kahuna71]

Just out of curiosity, how do you rate Banger when comparing him to these other great champions??

all of these guys can kick great goals - it's the only thing banger doesn't do - which is why he doesn't get mentioned in the same breath as these guys. He also avoids publicity unlike Hird and Buckley who are media whores for McGuire. Voss reinvented the game, as did Harvey, and became the quintessential player of his generation. Hird is a freakish type player, who is equally freakishly consistent, but I rate Harvey above them all for consistent ball winning. Particularly given the 'quality' of many of his team mates over the years. Nothing easy about his stats.

 

[gosaints]

I agree, but although Harvey has never been a big goal kicker, he has kicked a few beauties in his time. One against the eagles in the rain a few years back when he took on the man on the mark and another from the boundry after roving a thrown in when Libba was tagging him really stand out in my mind.
Not taking anything away from the others, but Harvey, in his prime was the best player I have ever seen. Imagine what he would of done in quality sides like the others.

 

[itsintheblood]

Kicking goals is not the be all and end all. How many hundreds has he set up with his brilliant ball winning ability? A lot more than the others id say.

 

[kahuna71]

Kicking goals is not the be all and end all. How many hundreds has he set up with his brilliant ball winning ability? A lot more than the others id say.

undoubtedly, but tv loves it which is why he's not considered in the same league as those guys. 35 possessions week in week out year after year vs. a long bomb from 60 to win the match...

and the only multiple brownlow winner in the comp at the moment. Legend.

 

[itsintheblood]

Anyone who bags robert harvey as a footballer needs their head examined. Faultless in every way.

 

[latrell]

I would say he's right up there with the best without a doubt. I would have him well above buckley for starters.

I'd go Voss, Hird, Harvey, daylight, buckley.

you cannot have harvey above buckley.

people hate buckley because hes so good, you will find that no opposition supporters dislike harvey because they dont fear him. whereas a Voss, Hird, Buckley can kick that matchwinning goal or grab the game by the scruff of the neck....dont take me wrong im not taking anything away from harvey, hes one of the best of recent times but he has never been a great kick and saint supporters would agree that he would almost be the last player you would want lining up to kick a goal.

 

[gosaints]

you cannot have harvey above buckley.

people hate buckley because hes so good, you will find that no opposition supporters dislike harvey because they dont fear him. whereas a Voss, Hird, Buckley can kick that matchwinning goal or grab the game by the scruff of the neck....dont take me wrong im not taking anything away from harvey, hes one of the best of recent times but he has never been a great kick and saint supporters would agree that he would almost be the last player you would want lining up to kick a goal.

Thats bull********.... he is a sensational kick, its just that its usually on the chest of a leading forward instead of through the goals. I'd take him lining up for goal over 80% of the team.

 

[MCG-Unit]

Harvey - a champion in every sense, one of the best I have ever seen - imagine how many games he would have clocked up if not for injuries.
And in reaching the milestone, he is in great form, not struggling to get there
Wonder if they can give him a flag...........

 

[Rors]

Well Done to my Fooball Idol.

300 games - absolutely fantastic. I reckon i would have been to at least 180 of them...

Congratulations Banger, it has been an honour to have watched you play

 

[itsintheblood]

you cannot have harvey above buckley.

people hate buckley because hes so good, you will find that no opposition supporters dislike harvey because they dont fear him. whereas a Voss, Hird, Buckley can kick that matchwinning goal or grab the game by the scruff of the neck....dont take me wrong im not taking anything away from harvey, hes one of the best of recent times but he has never been a great kick and saint supporters would agree that he would almost be the last player you would want lining up to kick a goal.

Buckley's head is that far up his ar$e it's not funny. Selfish, arrogant, egotistical, sore loser. Good player, yes, but no where near better than harvey. 2 brownlows to one speaks for itself.