TonyK
CibbuanoLoss unnaceptable, says Harvey
September 21st 2008 02:19
RETIRED St Kilda champion Robert Harvey described the Saints’ preliminary final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday night as 'unacceptable'.
The 54-point loss to the Hawks means Harvey ends his career with the unwanted record of having played the most games in AFL history - 383 - without winning an AFL premiership.
The 34-year-old said it was not the way he wanted to go out.
"I never really expected in my final game that I would be looking forward to that final siren but that was the case," he said.
"We just didn't put our best foot forward but we are a better side than that."
"We have come a long way as a club and it's a great credit to the group to bounce back from we were halfway through the season (struggling to make the eight) but it was unacceptable today."
Harvey said the loss will help drive the club towards bigger and better things next season and that he is confident the Saints can eventually break a premiership drought stretching back to 1966.
"I know this (loss) won't be swept under the carpet and I know there will be some hungry boys here next year," he said.
"The future is in good hands but we have got to find a few more (quality players) so the draft becomes important in the next few years."
Harvey also thanked the club and the Saints fans for all they had done for him during his 21-year career.
"All this attention never sat comfortably with me but I appreciate everything the club has done for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it," he said.
"I appreciate the way the fans have treated me over the last 21 years and over the last 12 months they have just been exceptional."
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Harvey’s standing in the game shouldn’t be affected by the fact that he didn’t win a premiership.
"He is only one item short (of having the perfect football resume) but that doesn't make him a lesser player," Lyon said.
"People don't understand his mental strength and to see the relentless nature of his preparation to play each week is to understand what made Robert great."
"And that is the legacy he has left at our club and he will always remain a role model at our club."
The 54-point loss to the Hawks means Harvey ends his career with the unwanted record of having played the most games in AFL history - 383 - without winning an AFL premiership.
The 34-year-old said it was not the way he wanted to go out.
"I never really expected in my final game that I would be looking forward to that final siren but that was the case," he said.
"We just didn't put our best foot forward but we are a better side than that."
"We have come a long way as a club and it's a great credit to the group to bounce back from we were halfway through the season (struggling to make the eight) but it was unacceptable today."
Harvey said the loss will help drive the club towards bigger and better things next season and that he is confident the Saints can eventually break a premiership drought stretching back to 1966.
"I know this (loss) won't be swept under the carpet and I know there will be some hungry boys here next year," he said.
"The future is in good hands but we have got to find a few more (quality players) so the draft becomes important in the next few years."
Harvey also thanked the club and the Saints fans for all they had done for him during his 21-year career.
"All this attention never sat comfortably with me but I appreciate everything the club has done for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it," he said.
"I appreciate the way the fans have treated me over the last 21 years and over the last 12 months they have just been exceptional."
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Harvey’s standing in the game shouldn’t be affected by the fact that he didn’t win a premiership.
"He is only one item short (of having the perfect football resume) but that doesn't make him a lesser player," Lyon said.
"People don't understand his mental strength and to see the relentless nature of his preparation to play each week is to understand what made Robert great."
"And that is the legacy he has left at our club and he will always remain a role model at our club."
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