IT'S NOT only his opponents who wish Saint Robert Harvey would retire, it's his teammates as well.

For different reasons, though.

Harvey is due to play his 376th senior game this week, taking him to fourth spot on the all-time list behind Michael Tuck (426 games), Kevin Bartlett (403) and Simon Madden (378).

St Kilda's vice-captain Lenny Hayes suggested the 36-year-old could save some embarrassment if he pulled the pin soon.

"I hope he retires soon, because he's making all of us look stupid, you know?" he said with a laugh.

"We're mid-to-late 20s and we're starting to slow down a bit, and he's still flying.

"He's an absolute freak – 21 years in the game, it's just amazing.

"I still remember having the posters on my wall when was growing up of him, being a midfielder.

"To come and just watch how he trains, and be a teammate of his, was a great thrill for me."

It seems like forever that the question has been asked – will the champ go around again next year?

Given a good run with injuries and with a few finals thrown into the mix, the dual Brownlow Medallist could become just the third player to crack the 400-game mark next year, a phenomenal effort in today's high-speed, high-impact contests.

"He's just a great credit to himself and I love playing with him," Hayes said.

"I've got no doubt he could go on again, but whether he will, I think we'll just have to wait and see.

"He obviously looks after himself really well, but I think mentally he's the toughest bloke I've ever seen.

"Just to be able to get up for games, and just the way he pushes himself at training and during games.

"He's just a freak."