The four-time best and fairest player is the only man to have played 21 consecutive AFL seasons, playing 383 games in the red, white and black.
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt said it is a fitting honour for a player who has given so much to the St Kilda Football Club.
“It’s a fantastic achievement and obviously a just reward for a fantastic career,” he said.
“It’s great that Harves has been recognised, we all thought he was going to be, but it was a terrific honour for him. Certainly as a playing group, and for those guys that played for him (under his guidance), we’re all really happy for him and really proud of him, and grateful for the legacy he has left at the St Kilda Football Club.”
The heart and soul of the Saints for more than 30 years, former teammate Leigh Montagna said Harvey has left a lasting legacy on the football community.
“He’s been the heart and soul of the St Kilda Football Club for a long period of time, not only for his football ability, but for the person he is and the contribution he has made to football.
“Certainly for the current group he was the role model and the player that we looked up to, to go about our football and how we needed to play to be a good football player and team. He has certainly left a legacy that will last a long time.”
A place in the AFL’s Hall of Fame is another accolade in a long list of achievements for the modest superstar.
“Harves is a humble a person as you can ever meet, I think it would sit with him a little uncomfortably, really he’s been such a fantastic player and a great football person for a long time, it’s just so deserving,” said Montagna.
The outcry of admiration for the Saints legend was also echoed by Justin Koschitzke, who said Harvey’s brilliance shines through every aspect of the club.
He conceded Harvey’s modesty and work-rate are attributes that are intrinsic to the Saints cultural fabric.
“It’s obviously a great honour that he always had coming. You look around the club now and the legacy that he has left shines right through, it’s a great achievement for him.”
“His modesty and his work-rate are his two huge traits that he has left behind, and I suppose he still carries it, but has left it to his teammates.”
At 40 years of age, the four-time best and fairest winner was joined by his family in accepting the award.
Former teammate and friend Lenny Hayes was quick to sing praise for the club legend, remembering the honour it was to play alongside him.
“It’s great recognition for a great career. He thoroughly deserves it and good to see one of our greatest players up there, fantastic for him and his family.
“You probably had to pinch yourself to know you were playing alongside him. He was one of those guys that I had his poster on my wall growing up, and then all of a sudden you’re playing with him and watching him first hand, so I feel very privileged to play a lot of footy with him and consider him one of my mates.”
