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http://www.saints.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5315/Default.aspx?newsId=51715
My hardest decision: Harvey
By Matt Burgan,
DUAL St Kilda Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey says his decision to play on next year for his 21st AFL season was the hardest he has had to make in his career.
The 36-year-old, speaking less than a week after announcing he would play on for a final season, said plenty of factors had to be considered before deciding to saddle up again in 2008.
"It was pretty difficult. It's the most difficult I've had," Harvey said.
"Even at the end of last year it was still really up in the air, but my body's been able to hold up, although you've got to take a lot of factors into account – your body and form and more importantly the club's view.
"I was really wary about what the club thought and if there was any hesitation from their part, I would've retired."
Harvey said the retirements of Fraser Gehrig, Andrew Thompson, Brett Voss and Matthew Clarke – and probably Aaron Hamill – did not sway him to remain on at the club to maintain some experience.
He was also pleased to be playing another season under Ross Lyon, who will coach St Kilda for his second year in 2008.
"I think we'll be better for this year and we've certainly taken confidence from what Ross is on about and the way he's approaching it, and I still think we've got the team to challenge, but obviously we need to get our stuff right in the off-season," Harvey said.
"We've got to make sure we're match fit and be conditioned to play out the season, but we still feel we can match it.
"It also helped having a more stable personnel later in the year because there were a lot of changes earlier in the year."
Meanwhile, Harvey said the upcoming board challenge from Footy First was not an issue for the playing group.
"I don't think it is, but hopefully it gets sorted out pretty quickly and we can have it sorted our sooner rather than later," he said.
My hardest decision: Harvey
By Matt Burgan,
DUAL St Kilda Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey says his decision to play on next year for his 21st AFL season was the hardest he has had to make in his career.
The 36-year-old, speaking less than a week after announcing he would play on for a final season, said plenty of factors had to be considered before deciding to saddle up again in 2008.
"It was pretty difficult. It's the most difficult I've had," Harvey said.
"Even at the end of last year it was still really up in the air, but my body's been able to hold up, although you've got to take a lot of factors into account – your body and form and more importantly the club's view.
"I was really wary about what the club thought and if there was any hesitation from their part, I would've retired."
Harvey said the retirements of Fraser Gehrig, Andrew Thompson, Brett Voss and Matthew Clarke – and probably Aaron Hamill – did not sway him to remain on at the club to maintain some experience.
He was also pleased to be playing another season under Ross Lyon, who will coach St Kilda for his second year in 2008.
"I think we'll be better for this year and we've certainly taken confidence from what Ross is on about and the way he's approaching it, and I still think we've got the team to challenge, but obviously we need to get our stuff right in the off-season," Harvey said.
"We've got to make sure we're match fit and be conditioned to play out the season, but we still feel we can match it.
"It also helped having a more stable personnel later in the year because there were a lot of changes earlier in the year."
Meanwhile, Harvey said the upcoming board challenge from Footy First was not an issue for the playing group.
"I don't think it is, but hopefully it gets sorted out pretty quickly and we can have it sorted our sooner rather than later," he said.

