by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
St Kilda recently celebrated 140 years in the competition. The celebrations included the induction of Robert Harvey into the club Hall of Fame and the elevation of three members to Legend status. Neil Roberts, Ross Smith and Trevor Barker joined Darrel Baldock, Ian Stewart, Allan Jeans and Tony Lockett as club legends.
Robert Harvey played 383 games over 21 years, the third highest tally of games in League history. He won the Brownlow Medal in 1997 and 1998 and played in St Kilda's losing Grand Final side in 1997 against Adelaide. Harvey won the club Best and Fairest award in 1992, 1994, 1997 and 1998.
Harvey was named All-Australian in 1992, 1994-1999 and in 2003 and represented Victoria eight times, winning the E.J. Whitten Medal as best on ground three times. Harvey was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame last year. Upon retiring, he became an assistant coach at Carlton 2009-2010 before returning the Saints as an assistant in 2011. He is currently an assistant coach with Collingwood.
NEIL ROBERTS
169 games 1952-1962
1955 best and fairest; All-Australian and Brownlow Medal 1958
Captain 1952-1958
Roberts started his career as a forward but did not fare well. His career took off when he was shifted to center half back where his marking and rebounding became a feature of his game.
ROSS SMITH
234 games 1961-1972 and 1975
Premiership 1966
Victorian representative 1967, 1972 (captain)
Best and Fairest 1966, 1970
Brownlow Medal 1967
Captain 1970-1972
Smith was a courageous ball-winning rover. After retiring, he coached WAFL club Subiaco for three seasons for one Premiership win. He then returned to St Kilda as an assistant coach and pulled on the boots once more in 1975 when the club was decimated with injuries. He coached the club in 1977.
TREVOR BARKER
230 games 1975-1989
Best and Fairest 1976, 1981
Victorian representative seven times
Captain 1983-1986
Barker was one of the most popular players and a hero among the St Kilda faithful. Despite his slight build, Barker was a courageous defender, noted for his spectacular aerial skills with his athleticism giving him an advantage over bigger and stronger forwards. He was also an excellent tackler. Several clubs tried to lure him away from the Saints but his loyalty to the club prevailed over more lucrative offers presented to him. He spent two years in the media after his retirement, then coached Sandringham in the VFL for several years for two VFL premierships in 1992 and 1994. In 1996 Barker sadly passed away at the age of 39 from cancer. The club Best and Fairest award was then named in his honor.
Source: Luke Holmesby, St Kilda Media Release, Encyclopedia of League Footballers, AFL Record Season Guide
Article last changed on Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 6:57 PM EDT
