ST KILDA champion Robert Harvey was named the 2008 AFL Players' Association Madden Medallist at a gala ceremony in Melbourne on Friday.
Harvey, who brought his decorated 21-year career to an end this year, was awarded the medal in recognition of his achievements as a player and a person.
The 37-year-old's long list of accolades assembled over 383 games includes the Brownlow Medal in 1997 and 1998, eight All-Australian guernseys and four club best and fairest awards.
Off the field, he has worked closely with the Mornington Peninsula community and the Woorinyan organisation, which provides employment support for people with disabilities. A father of three, he is an ambassador for the Bonnie Babes Foundation.
Harvey was typically gracious in accepting the prestigious award.
"I think it's [special], particularly to get it from the AFLPA with the job that they do and how much that's appreciated by the players," he said.
"I'm obviously an older player that's finished up, but the young players really appreciate everything the AFLPA do. The way they get players into courses now and if there's any dramas at all the AFLPA will look after it, so to get the award off them [is great]."
Harvey (28 votes) comfortably won the award from former Fremantle captain Peter Bell (16) and Hawthorn premiership player Shane Crawford (15).
Scott West (Western Bulldogs), David Neitz (Melbourne), Nigel Lappin (Brisbane Lions) and Mal Michael (Collingwood, Brisbane Lions and Essendon) were also short-listed.
Harvey, who recently joined Carlton as development coach, says his work in the community will not cease now that he has hung up the boots.
"I live down on the Mornington Peninsula now and I do a few things with some people down there and with a handicapped facility," he said.
"I try and help out the local clubs down there a little bit. I'm at Carlton now which takes up a fair bit of time, but down the track I'd like to help out footy down there and help the game prosper in the area."
The medal was voted on by the AFL Players' Association executive committee, which includes Joel Bowden (president), Brett Burton (vice-president), Luke Ball, Adam Goodes, Tom Harley, Nick Maxwell, Robert Murphy, Luke Power, Ashley Hansen, AFLPA CEO Brendon Gale and past players representative Simon Madden.
Each member of the executive committee cast votes on a 3-2-1 basis.
It is just the second Madden Medal awarded after North Melbourne great Glenn Archer claimed the inaugural prize last year.
Also honoured at the ceremony were Essendon's cancer survivor Adam Ramanauskas, who received the community spirit award, Bell, who received the personal development award, and Crawford, who was honoured for his on-field achievements which culminated in the 2008 premiership.
The main medal is named after Simon Madden and his brother Justin, who both served as presidents of the AFLPA following distinguished careers with Essendon and Carlton.
Nominees for the four awards must have retired from the game within the calendar year.
The Madden Medal – Presented by AMP
Robert Harvey 28 votes
Peter Bell 16 votes
Shane Crawford 15 votes
The Steel Blue Community Spirit Award
Adam Ramanauskas 22 votes
Nathan Thompson 10 votes
Jason Johnson/Robert Harvey 7 votes
The Open Universities Australia Personal Development Award
Peter Bell 25 votes
Michael Wilson 15 votes
Shane Wakelin 8 votes
The GNC Live Well Football Achievement Award
Shane Crawford 22 votes
Robert Harvey 21 votes
Scott West/Nigel Lappin 6 votes
