Watch the exclusive interview above or on Collingwood's YouTube channel.

The Collingwood Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Harvey to the position of Midfield Coach.
 
Harvey, who played 383 games for St Kilda, held positions of development coach (2009) and assistant coach (2010) at the Carlton Football Club before returning to St Kilda as assistant coach ahead of the 2011 season.
 
Harvey retired in 2008 as one of the most decorated players in St Kilda’s history, having won consecutive Brownlow Medals in 1997 and 1998, the club best and fairest award four times and selection in the All-Australian team eight times.
 
“It’s been a big month.  It was obviously a pretty tough decision to leave St Kilda but I feel it is in the best interest of my professional development going forward,” Harvey told CTV on Tuesday.

“The main reason for my departure is to get more experience and get involved in a system I can learn a lot from.”

Collingwood Coach Nathan Buckley believes Harvey’s appointment will be crucial to the development of the Magpie midfield.

“There is no doubt that Robert’s character and work ethic will help drive our young midfield group,” Buckley said.

“Robert Harvey is the perfect coach to guide the likes of  Pendlebury, Thomas, Ball, Wellingham and even Dane Swan to the next level of performance as he did so often throughout his own career,” he added.
 
Harvey’s appointment follows the recent appointments of Rodney Eade to the position of Football and Coaching Strategist and Ben Hart to the position of Defensive Coach in support of Nathan Buckley.
 
Mitch Hahn has been appointed Forwards Development Coach, Dale Tapping will take on the role of Midfield Development Coach, and Anthony Rocca will be the Defensive Development Coach.

Click here to view the 2012 Collingwood coaching team.
 
Harvey’s appointment rounds out Collingwood’s coaching team for season 2012.