West Coast almost rained on the parade but St Kilda did enough to ensure club legend Robert Harvey got the result he deserved in his 350th match.

Harvey, who debuted all the way back in 1988, showed age was no hindrance as he gathered 30 possessions in the Saints' shock 23-point victory over the Eagles at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

It was a win that keeps St Kilda's finals aspirations alive, and it was the wise head of Harvey who once again proved instrumental in the club's victory.

But fans have come to expect nothing less from the 35-year-old veteran, who is the oldest player in the league yet still rated among the elite midfielders running around.

Harvey's relentless gut-running and pure class have made him a joy to watch during 20 seasons in the AFL.

Harvey, a dual Brownlow medallist, eight times All-Australian and four times best and fairest winner, has achieved everything there is to achieve out of the game except for one thing - a premiership.

That feat looks likely to evade Harvey with the Saints sitting two games outside of the top-eight at 5-7 after 12 rounds, but it should in no way be viewed as a blight on his glittering career.

"Everything he stands for is self evident," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said of Harvey.

"Very lucky to have him at the club. I think the general football public is very lucky to have witnessed one of the great runners."

Even Eagles coach John Worsfold sung the praises of Harvey.

"He's been in the elite for a long time," Worsfold said.

"Just one of the players we have been lucky to see in our time. As a contemporary of his, to play against him and to coach against him he's just been a great asset to the game of Australian rules football on and off the field. He's set an unbelievable standard."

"(He was) one of my toughest opponents. Luckily I didn't have to play on him too often. I generally would pray for someone else to pick him up."

Harvey became just the 10th man in VFL-AFL history to pass the 350-game milestone, and if his performance against West Coast is anything to go by, another season is there for the taking should he so choose.