Retired St Kilda great Robert Harvey has capped a decorated AFL career with the Madden Medal, but admits the one item absent from his trophy cabinet will always haunt him.

The award, handed out at an AFL players' association (AFLPA) ceremony on Friday, recognised Harvey's achievements both on the field and in serving the community during his 21-year, 383-game career.

The Saints' games record-holder welcomed the recognition from his peers, to add to his two Brownlows, four best and fairests and eight All Australian awards.

But he admitted he could still not claim complete satisfaction with a career that did not include a premiership.

He said it caused a pang watching footage of retired Hawthorn star Shane Crawford, who won the football achievement award, accepting his premiership medal.

"It's very hard, I'm rapt for him and I was at the time (but not winning one) will probably haunt me for the rest of my life, it will," Harvey said.

" ... I'm hoping that I learn from that, even with what I do in the future, but it will never be complete when I look back on my footy career."

On top of his football achievements, Harvey was recognised for work with the disabled and as an ambassador for Bonnie Babes - an organisation which counsels families after miscarriage, stillbirth or prematurity - while being a committed husband, father and businessman.

Now a Carlton assistant coach, Harvey said he was still coming to terms with not playing and his heart would always be with the Saints.

Crawford's award capped a fairytale year, after winning a flag in the last of his 305 games.

"It was just a perfect way to move on to my new life away from football, so I couldn't have asked for a better ending," he said.

"There were a lot of (retired) players here today who were unfortunate not to have an ending like I did."

Also recognised were former Fremantle skipper and North Melbourne dual premiership player Peter Bell, who won the personal development award, and Essendon cancer survivor Adam Ramanauskas, with the community spirit award.

Ramanauskas, who twice returned from cancer to play with the Bombers and established the Call to Arms campaign to promote the fight against cancer in men, said, while his career was over, the campaigning was not.

"Something good has come out of something that was very bad for me, so I'm very proud," he said.

"But at the same time the job's not done and as the years go on I'll continue to be just as passionate about it."

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