View Full Version : Mark Mercuri - what happened?
Mr Shankly
8 Jul 2009, 14:36
In the Barry Hall decline thread on the main board, someone mentioned Mark Mercuri as a player who reached a high level of football then fell away, never to return to those heights. I used to wonder about this myself, so I thought I'd come to this board in search of answers.
I always admired Mercuri. He was a classy mover and was deadly when he had the ball. During some of those great West Coast-Essendon games of the 90s, the only player I feared more was Hird. But in that dominant year of 2000, I don't seem to remember him being the major contributor he had been throughout the 90s, and post-2000 he was a shadow of his former self.
Is my memory accurate? Were there reasons for his decline, or was it the same old story of age and injury?
Donakebab
8 Jul 2009, 14:43
Taken directly from wiki, pretty much how I remember it too.
In 2000, a season where Essendon lost only one game, Mercuri was one of the premier players of the competition, and signed a 5-year contract, which ultimately only lasted for 4 years.
Mercuri lost form late in his career, which was put down to his brother's suicide. He retired in the 2004 season, his last game being the 2004 Semi Final against Geelong.
In 2005, there was talk of a comeback, with Mercuri contemplating nominating for the pre-season draft. This never eventuated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Mercuri
bOmBeR_BoY1
8 Jul 2009, 14:43
The sudden death of his brother back at the beginning of 2000 was, in my eyes, a pretty big turning point in his career.
His 1999 season was amazing and was only a couple of votes off a very well deserved Brownlow Medal. He never recovered from the personal trauma of early 2000 though, despite showing glimpses of brilliance from time to time in the last few seasons of his career.
Mr Shankly
8 Jul 2009, 14:47
That's terrible, I did not know that. Poor bloke.
Yeah, his 1999 season was fantastic.
Thanks for that, fellas.
Just on a sidenote, where would you rate Mercuri in Essendon's history? Did he do enough to be considered one of the all time greats of your club? Two premierships and a Brownlow runner up, I'd suggest so, but you'd know better than I.
bOmBeR_BoY1
8 Jul 2009, 14:50
He was a great player for us, at his peak. But not an all time great - if that makes any sense.
kelvin_sheedy
8 Jul 2009, 14:55
Mark Mercuri is an all time great at Essendon whichever way you look at it.
2 flags, runner up Brownlow + lot more.
Mercuri was easily the most skillful player at Essendon during his time.. Hird and Rioli just behind him..
Was definitely one of my favorites as a kid growing up..
Ludwig van Bertstare
8 Jul 2009, 15:04
He had a number of groin injuries which really affected him, as well as his brother's suciide.
Daytripper
8 Jul 2009, 16:00
Just on a sidenote, where would you rate Mercuri in Essendon's history? Did he do enough to be considered one of the all time greats of your club? Two premierships and a Brownlow runner up, I'd suggest so, but you'd know better than I.
In the years 1993 -> 1999 he was one of the best players I've seen in an Essendon jumper.
Absoloutly loved him as a player.
I think James Hird said he was the best player he ever played alongside and the player he admired most.
He was rated at 41 in the Champions of Essendon which was realsed in 2002. Ahead of players like Ken Fletcher, Darren Williams, Paul Van Der Haar, Neale Daniher, Scott Lucas and Joe Misiti.
stay true
8 Jul 2009, 16:03
Oh how I loved Mercuri when I was a kid. Such a gun.
Only bad memory I have of him is the 99 Prelim.
Phat Toni
8 Jul 2009, 16:25
He had a number of groin injuries which really affected him, as well as his brother's suciide.
This is how I remembered it. In his last years he had lost all his explosive power, jumping was gone and he had very little zip.
The Donners
8 Jul 2009, 17:38
I felt he was no. 2 behind Hird for 5-6 seasons. I absolutely loved his football, tremendously skilled, more orthodox skill than Hird.
Ludwig van Bertstare
8 Jul 2009, 17:42
I felt he was no. 2 behind Hird for 5-6 seasons. I absolutely loved his football, tremendously skilled, more orthodox skill than Hird.
He and Hird were my equal favourite players as a young lad.
I remember his 200th game. It was that Hird game v West Coast in 2004; Mercuri, who had been struggling for nearly 12 months at the time, played a pretty solid game.
He showed a bit more in that year before retiring, along with Wellman and Misiti; their numbers were given to Dyson, Monfries and Stanton respectively.
windyhill
8 Jul 2009, 17:56
I backed Mercs various times throughout the `99 season in The Brownlow. We were very strong that year and he had alot of internal competition for votes. Crawford, while a worthy winner was in a team that struggled. Thankfully I backed him each way, but the collect if he had got up !!!!!!! He was sublime that season Mercs with the standout game being the first half of the Ess v Syd final. Sydney could not cope, he had b.o.g wrapped up at half time. Untouchable that day.
i was also on mercs in the 99 brownlow - got him at 200-1 and had him e/w. there was one game, i think against carlton, where he looked a certainty for votes. he didn't get the 1, nor the 2 so i thought you beauty he'll get 3 and could win this.
then they read 3 votes andrew ukovic! WTF!!! i couldn't believe it.
mercuri was a great player but probably won't get the plaudits he deserves for his career as so many stars like wanganeen, hird, long, lloyd, lucas, fletcher take the limelight away.
Lance Uppercut
8 Jul 2009, 18:14
such a gun. He & Misiti were one of the all-time great football partnerships for mine. Just complemented each other beautifully
the good thing was misiti, mercuri, alessio amongst others were local boys and beat the blues with their high price recruits (g.williams, kernahan etc) - was awesome.
windyhill
8 Jul 2009, 18:31
i was also on mercs in the 99 brownlow - got him at 200-1 and had him e/w. there was one game, i think against carlton, where he looked a certainty for votes. he didn't get the 1, nor the 2 so i thought you beauty he'll get 3 and could win this.
then they read 3 votes andrew ukovic! WTF!!! i couldn't believe it.
mercuri was a great player but probably won't get the plaudits he deserves for his career as so many stars like wanganeen, hird, long, lloyd, lucas, fletcher take the limelight away.
Mate, I`ve argued with hawthorn supporters about this for years. Looks like we were both ripped off. Andrew Ukovic !! I hope you backed him each way to ease some of the pain.
Dude had eyes in the back of his head, loved him
bOmBeR_BoY1
8 Jul 2009, 19:01
i was also on mercs in the 99 brownlow - got him at 200-1 and had him e/w. there was one game, i think against carlton, where he looked a certainty for votes. he didn't get the 1, nor the 2 so i thought you beauty he'll get 3 and could win this.
then they read 3 votes andrew ukovic! WTF!!! i couldn't believe it.
HAHA. I've watched that particular game in full in the last couple of years and he was very influential that day and easily our best player on the ground. 27 possessions and 2 goals.
Crawford was a worthy Brownlow winner in 1999, but what could of been hey...
Mercuri was rated highly by opposition players and coaches.
He was always rated just behind Hird.
The_Young_Gun
8 Jul 2009, 19:14
Came 2nd in Brownlow one year didn't he?
Absolute silk so clean by hand and foot, good overhead for a smaller player and lots of tricks. I remember Worsfold saying in the lead up to a final against Essendon in the mid 90's that Hird and Mercuri do things and get out of situations that others can't. Serious freak factor. I remember the decline starting in early-mid 2000 after his brothers death, I thought with a bit of time that he would regain his form, but it never eventuated.
FrankGrimes
8 Jul 2009, 19:33
thought hird said he was the best, or one of the best he has ver played with, so coming from james that is a massive honour... always loved him as a kid growing up, his little brother went to my school and grew up in KP together was a ripping bloke taken too early...
The boy was a Rolls Royce at his peak. Pure silk!
As above...the silkiest player I ever saw pull on an Essendon jumper..and we've had a few like that.
The Dustbin
8 Jul 2009, 21:23
Awesome player. Agree with everything that has already been said about him.
:thumbsu:
Darealrath
8 Jul 2009, 22:03
He was sublime that season Mercs with the standout game being the first half of the Ess v Syd final. Sydney could not cope, he had b.o.g wrapped up at half time. Untouchable that day.
That game was incredible. From memory he went off injured 10 minutes into the second quarter, yet no one had any doubt he was BOG.
Very sad about his brother, but the repeated groin injuries were just as much of a factor IMO. By the end of his career he looked like he could barely kick 45m, when he used to slot them easily from outside 50 at his peak.
100% class.
Shane Hird
9 Jul 2009, 01:07
I could sit here for hours and write about the great Mark Mercuri....a wonderful player, highly skilled by foot, a sensational overhead mark for his size, genius baulking and evading skills...sublime..freak....and such a humble knockabout bloke.
He was recruited from the local Essendon area -same as other EFC champions like Madden,Harvey, Bomber Thompson, Misiti and Lloyd- but he stands out to me as one of the most talented footballers ever to play for Essendon.
If you want to see how good he was and you're not an Essendon supporter, get your self a copy of the 1993 GF and watch Mercs as a 19 year old gun....i miss watching him play.
I remember his 1999 season. He was a champ and won two or three games off his own boot. I don't think the injuries were the issue with him, he was never the same after his brothers death.
Mr Shankly
9 Jul 2009, 10:47
If you want to see how good he was and you're not an Essendon supporter, get your self a copy of the 1993 GF and watch Mercs as a 19 year old gun....i miss watching him play.
This I just might have to do. All I remember from 93 is THAT goal by Long.
Good to see my memory wasn't far off. Anyone know if he is still involved in football, or with your club? Is he coaching now? Seems to me he'd be the sort of inspirational figure you'd want around some of your younger players (who, by the way, are very impressive).
morebeer
11 Jul 2009, 19:32
Mercs was a serious player.
Ball getter, agile, evasive, great overhead, goal sense, disposal, unselfish, chicks loved him.
That was a pretty good recruiting class - Hird, Mercs, Wangas, Joe, Fletch at a strecth Longy.
Never heard much about him post footy. Did he play locally? Has he coped well out of the system?
Grey Smith Bar
12 Jul 2009, 10:25
Surprised nobody has mentioned his goalkicking. At his peak, he was without doubt our best shot for goal.
Darealrath
12 Jul 2009, 14:08
Surprised nobody has mentioned his goalkicking. At his peak, he was without doubt our best shot for goal.
Bewick was just as good, as was Lloyd in the years they played together. But yeah, that's pretty good company.
stay true
12 Jul 2009, 14:13
Mercs was a serious player.
Ball getter, agile, evasive, great overhead, goal sense, disposal, unselfish, chicks loved him.
That was a pretty good recruiting class - Hird, Mercs, Wangas, Joe, Fletch at a strecth Longy.
Never heard much about him post footy. Did he play locally? Has he coped well out of the system?
I think he played for Keilor Park with Misiti and Alessio for a season or 2.
I think he played for Keilor Park with Misiti and Alessio for a season or 2.
yes he did and what a player as so many of you have said. As much as I loved hirdy, Mercs was always my favourite player and I still have got number 2 on my orange and 3 one sponsorshiped jumpers. I just loved those skills and how he was untouchable and bairly tackled. He was such a clever player and like one of you said I really do miss watching him play. He will always be remembered as a players of the Essendon football club and a true champion
hirdy13
13 Jul 2009, 11:22
"Mercs" was a very very good player in his time & his 1999 Season was magical (if only he kicked that late goal v carlton in the PF)
A lot of the Baby Bombers of the mid 90's did end up tailing off at the end of their careers....it happens I'm sorry to say!
Squeaky
13 Jul 2009, 15:48
If you want to see how good he was and you're not an Essendon supporter, get your self a copy of the 1993 GF and watch Mercs as a 19 year old gun....i miss watching him play.
Spot on Nobby - for a bloke in his first full (seniors) season he, Misisti, Fletcher, Olarenshaw were all outstanding.
He was consistent, classy & had a go!
Played a sensational GF. 3 goals & plenty of the footy.
Beerfish
15 Jul 2009, 23:36
the good thing was misiti, mercuri, alessio amongst others were local boys and beat the blues with their high price recruits (g.williams, kernahan etc) - was awesome.
I recently read that these three used to plan their strategy before some bounces by shouting to each other in Italian. :)
Mrs Mercuri
21 Apr 2011, 13:46
Still my all time fave player to wear the red and black (hence my profile name on here!!)
Loved the way he went about his footy... was pure class around the forward 50m and definately one of the most skillfull in the powerful sides of the 1990's!!
Still have the #2 proudly on the back of my footy jumper.
I would also be curious to know what he has got up to post footy...
SirJimi05
21 Apr 2011, 15:14
He was a great player for us, at his peak. But not an all time great - if that makes any sense.
Mark Mercuri is quite clearly an all time great.
Noddy Holder
21 Apr 2011, 15:21
At least we got a few good years out of Mercs. Olarenshaw, on the other hand, was a major disappointment. Absolutely tore it up in 1993 then disappeared just as quickly.
Mark Mercuri is quite clearly an all time great.
For mine, all time greats are players who performed at the top level over a number of seasons. Mercs burst onto the scene in 93 & in 1999 was 1 of the most dangerous players in the league but after that he had some ordinary years. At his best he was certainly among the greats but not sure if we saw it enough.
stugots
21 Apr 2011, 15:30
great player on his day
i hate 'if only's' but he still owes me for the near full stubbie I launched when he kicked 'that point'....
SirJimi05
21 Apr 2011, 18:01
For mine, all time greats are players who performed at the top level over a number of seasons. Mercs burst onto the scene in 93 & in 1999 was 1 of the most dangerous players in the league but after that he had some ordinary years. At his best he was certainly among the greats but not sure if we saw it enough.
Top 5 player on the list for about 7-8 years.
Behind Jimmy, the player that the oppostion always wanted to stop.
Grey Smith Bar
21 Apr 2011, 19:27
He was an absolute 'Rolls Royce' at his peak. Smoothest, silkiest player going around, and damaging on the scoreboard too.
table tennis
21 Apr 2011, 20:20
Think didak but tough inside and class outside. Was a true footballer. Gun.
More didak on roids with a spine !
dave_27
21 Apr 2011, 20:38
Had his number on my back all through the 90's til his last game. Sad we didnt get to give him a fitting send off.
Call Me Cake
21 Apr 2011, 20:51
Damn, I'd imagine if my brother ever committed suicide, I'd lose interest and determination in most things too.
Howard Moon
21 Apr 2011, 21:33
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfzUAVMec (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfzUAVMec6I)
goal of the year 99...mercuri all over..nuff said.
Darealrath
22 Apr 2011, 08:57
One of the best to watch in full flight...his 40 minute cameo in the 99 qualifying final was one of the most incredible performances I've seen.
Clark G
22 Apr 2011, 09:51
Mercs was one of my favourites growing up, he is one of the best players to ever play for Essendon.
Mad Bomber Sean
22 Apr 2011, 11:29
Brilliliant player that I loved to watch. An all time great. Those questioning this probably didnt see him play a whole lot.
I really understand how he lost his way a bit after the suicide of his brother, my brother did the same thing last year. Perspective like a freight train hits you hard.
A lot of things lose meaning, purpose leaves you and you kind of limbo through things with the weight of loss.
It is profoundly difficult, unrelenting & never leaves you.
I hope that Mercs & family are doing well.
Noddy Holder
22 Apr 2011, 17:21
Brilliliant player that I loved to watch. An all time great. Those questioning this probably didnt see him play a whole lot.
I really understand how he lost his way a bit after the suicide of his brother, my brother did the same thing last year. Perspective like a freight train hits you hard.
A lot of things lose meaning, purpose leaves you and you kind of limbo through things with the weight of loss.
It is profoundly difficult, unrelenting & never leaves you.
I hope that Mercs & family are doing well.
Sorry to hear that. My father and brother were killed by a drunk driver a few years ago so I know that feeling of loss. It's something you never really get over and definitlely gives you a different perspective on life.
Mercurial player. :D
Loved him to bits. Haven't lost a close friend or family member yet*. I am privileged in that regard although I'm sure it will hit hard when the unfortunate day does arrive.
Not sure if I regard him as an all-time great, but rather on the cusp of it. Initially I was disappointed in his drop in form because it coincided with a new contract back in 2000 but upon reading about his brother soon after I changed my view.
* two guys from my year level have committed suicide
AndyLesPaul
24 Apr 2011, 11:16
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ma/story-e6frf9jf-1226043786266
Lovely read
Big Red is back
24 Apr 2011, 11:51
He almost overnight lost explosiveness I assume he had a leg injury of sorts
Damn, I'd imagine if my brother ever committed suicide, I'd lose interest and determination in most things too.
Especially in this circumstance. I still remember the night it happened. Think he was a late withdrawal before a Kangaroos game (or maybe Bulldogs).
Tragic.
BlacK'n'ReD
24 Apr 2011, 22:54
Great effort on the medal, awesome player.
Air_Chester
25 Apr 2011, 00:46
Well deserved retrospective medal, he never got the praise or coverage of a Hird, Lloyd, Fletch etc. and I think that slightly waters down his value when people talk about "past greats" after it's combined with a tailing off in the later couple of years, but by no means could he be written off as "not an all time great".
Underrated and overshadowed, but when he's brought up in conversation, everyone remembers and thinks "Oh, yeah, Mercs really was an all time great". Total class act, brilliant to watch, and the likening of him to a Rolls Royce above is very accurate. His 1999 really was top tier footy.
I grew up with the "Baby Bombers", and I remember being a ravid fan, and I recall debates post-match regularly of "Who was better?" over Mercuri and Misiti. I know it probably wouldn't mean too much to him, but the fact is, in my childhood, the guy was one of my heroes.
The Great Barry Besanko
25 Apr 2011, 01:13
Don't mean to hijack a good thread but wtf ever happened to his prem teammate Paul Hills??? Seemed to shoved out without much fuss. Heard he liked a drink.
BrownPearHookers
25 Apr 2011, 02:36
Noone has mentioned his goal in the last minute or 2 against the Bulldogs in rd 22 1996, Essendon win by a couple of points, at that stage Hird and C Grant were on the same amount of brownlow votes and Hird gets the 3 and Grant gets the 2, Hird beats Grant by 1 vote, I to this day still think it was Mercuri's goal which got Hird that final vote to win a brownlow medal.
Runknisse
25 Apr 2011, 20:04
Mark Mercuri is an all time great at Essendon whichever way you look at it.
2 flags, runner up Brownlow + lot more.
This. :thumbsu:
Epic player who should always be considered as one of EFC's all time greats!
Sublime player.
FrankGrimes
25 Apr 2011, 20:40
i was in the same year as his brother at school, he was a great bloke just got mixed up withs drugs etc...
who could ever forget mercs first quarter of that final against sydney... almost best on ground for only playing a quater and a half...
Coldacre
25 Apr 2011, 20:47
Brilliliant player that I loved to watch. An all time great. Those questioning this probably didnt see him play a whole lot.
I really understand how he lost his way a bit after the suicide of his brother, my brother did the same thing last year. Perspective like a freight train hits you hard.
A lot of things lose meaning, purpose leaves you and you kind of limbo through things with the weight of loss.
It is profoundly difficult, unrelenting & never leaves you.
I hope that Mercs & family are doing well.
so sorry to hear that you lost your brother Sean. internet hug right here bro. football pales in comparison to that kind of thing. I hope you and your family are coping through such a tragic loss.
best,
James
Coldacre
25 Apr 2011, 22:17
Don't mean to hijack a good thread but wtf ever happened to his prem teammate Paul Hills??? Seemed to shoved out without much fuss.
I think Paul Hills & David Grenvold were aliens who migrated back to their home planet the day after the 93 granny.
table tennis
25 Apr 2011, 22:28
I think Paul Hills & David Grenvold were aliens who migrated back to their home planet the day after the 93 granny.
David grenvold succumbed to injury.
Paul hills succumbed to self indulgence.
Other than being premiership teammates, the pair should never be mentioned in the same sentence.