St Kilda veteran Robert Harvey has this morning announced his retirement after 20 years as an AFL player.

- Veteran to retire
- 'It's the right time': Harvey
- Will play until season's end

The 36-year-old announced he will play out the season, in which the Saints are expected to make a finals appearance.

"I'm very happy and honoured to have stretched my career out for as long as I did," Harvey said.

"It's the right time for the club, it's the right time for myself. I've had a great run."

Saints coach Ross Lyon said he and Harvey had discussed his future last week, with both agreeing it was the correct decision for the soon-to-be 37-year-old.

"When you look at the best and fairests, the Brownlows, it's self-evident how good he is," Lyon said.

"He stands equal with the greatest midfielders in the game.

"He has stood the test of time."

Harvey, who made his debut in 1988, twice won the Brownlow Medal - in 1997 and 1998 - played on in recent years to chase the premiership that has eluded the Saints. He was a leading player in the Saints' most recent grand final appearance in 1997, which they lost to Adelaide.

St Kilda plays Collingwood this week in a must-win match for both sides.

with AAP