RETIRING champion Robert Harvey, who represented St Kilda 383 times over two decades, says he bows out knowing the club has a bright future.

One of St Kilda’s most valuable players in his 21st season at the elite level, the 37-year-old expects any gap left by his departure to be quickly filled.

He said St Kilda's young players were a major factor in the club's rejuvenated second half of the season, which catapulted it to fourth place after 22 rounds and a finals campaign that ended at the hands of Hawthorn on Saturday night.

"I think the enthusiasm came from the young guys coming through like Clint Jones, Rob Eddy and Sam Gilbert," he said. "That’s the future and the future's in pretty good hands.

"Those guys were pretty consistent. We’ve got to find a few more and the draft becomes important in the next few years."

Asked whether he would pass his famous No. 35 guernsey on to one of the emerging stars, just as club greats Nathan Burke and Stewart Loewe had done before, a modest Harvey didn’t think it would be highly sought after.

"I haven’t given that any thought. I’m not sure anyone wants to go up to 35. In my second year I got 35 and I’m still waiting for that lower number," he laughed.

"I suppose [if] you don’t ask, you don’t get."

Harvey was chaired from the ground by teammates Max Hudghton and Lenny Hayes after the 54-point loss, and said he was moved by the farewell he received from fans, teammates and opponents.

St Kilda and Hawthorn players and officials formed a guard of honour as he left the field.

"I shook most of the boys’ hands and there were some great comments," he said. "When you walk off the ground for the last time you do take it all in so I appreciate that.

"The last bloke I shook hands with was (Hawthorn veteran) Shane Crawford. He's a bit junior to me but he's in a similar situation."

With no immediate plans for his future, Harvey is looking forward to a rest, but admitted that it will be strange to live life as a former footballer.

"I appreciate everything the club's done for me for 21 years and the last 12 months have been no exception," he added, before saving special praise for Hudghton, the second oldest player on the club's list.

Hudghton played a terrific outing despite the loss, keeping star Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin to one goal and encouraging Harvey to consider his good friend had some time in the game yet.

"I’d urge Max to go on. We all saw the evidence tonight and he’s done it for 15 years.

"I know the players and supporters appreciate Max but I think he’s undervalued by a lot of people."