Harvey – in his 13th season – polled 759 votes to win from Drew Petrie (731), Brady Rawlings (671) and David Hale (670) and joins greats Noel Teasdale, David Dench and Wayne Carey as the only players to have won the Roos’ best and fairest count on four occasions.
“I’ll reflect on this sort of stuff when I finish my career. I play footy to win finals … [but] it’s a huge honour to win this,” he said in accepting the award.
The 30-year-old claimed the Syd Barker Medal in 2003, 2005 and 2007, with successive victories a sign of his career-best form.
A Brownlow Medal favourite for much of 2008, Harvey played all 23 games and led the club with 569 disposals at an average of just under 25. He also booted 25 goals.
Players could potentially receive up to 50 votes a game from the five match committee members, who were able to allocate as many as 10 to each week’s 22.
Rewarded with selection for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match in May, Harvey’s season was further acknowledged with All-Australian honours last month.
For Petrie, it is his highest finish after a campaign which also saw him play every match.
Though he was mainly used in the ruck for the second half of the season, he featured at both ends of the ground as a target or saving mark.
Recognised by coach Dean Laidley for his continued emergence as a leader, the 25-year-old was also presented with the best clubman award.
Rawlings, a two-time Syd Barker Medallist, capped a consistent season that included every game and, in addition, he received life membership for 10 years as a senior player.
A solitary vote separated him and big man David Hale, who was the club’s leading goalkicker.
Gavin Urquhart was named rookie of the year after a debut season of 14 games and an NAB Rising Star nomination.
And retiring trio Shannon Grant, Nathan Thompson and Jess Sinclair received a tribute at the function, with Grant’s career coming to an end after 301 AFL games.
2008 Syd Barker Medal top 10
Brent Harvey 759
Drew Petrie 731
Brady Rawlings 671
David Hale 670
Michael Firrito 647
Daniel Wells 641
Daniel Harris 621
Adam Simpson 617
Leigh Harding 615
Daniel Pratt 607
Rennie Johnston Cheer Squad Determination Award: Brent Harvey
Northerners Award: Drew Petrie
Vice President’s Rookie of the Year Award: Gavin Urquhart
Jack ‘Scull’ Castle Trainers and Staff Encouragement Award: Matt Campbell
Jason McCartney Jumper Players Award: Drew Petrie
Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award: Drew Petrie
