Ed D
18 Jan 2012, 19:31
Alan Toovey had a solid start to 2011 and impressed many during the round 5 ANZAC Day clash after being involved as the substitute the week before against Richmond. He played the year down back as a small/medium lock down defender and played the role well.
During the round 8 clash against Geelong, Toovey had started well but was involved in a serious collision (link (http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=113830)) where he ran with the ball into a pack and copped the knee of Hawkins to the face and chest. Toovey was stretchered off and taken to hospital where he was treated for facial cuts and chest bruising. Remarkably Toovey missed just the one game and returned to the side in round 10.
A couple of months later in round 17 clash against Carlton, Toovey was again seriously injured when he broke his knuckle in a marking contest during the closing minutes of play (link (http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/NewsFeatures/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/newsid/119084/default.aspx)). Alan ended up missing the following 4 games and returned against Brisbane in round 22.
Statistically Toovey had his biggest game the following week in round 23 against Fremantle where he had 20 possessions, 2 marks and 6 tackles. During the finals Toovey continued to play his lock down role, and in the Grand Final put on 10 tackles which was his season high.
Unfortunately for Toovey, at the end of the season his contract had expired. With other Pies players also looking for contract renewals his acting manager, Marinis, publicly announced that Collingwood had not offered Toovey an acceptable contract and that Toovey would be looking to play elsewhere. Marinis raised eyebrows when he then emailed all 17 other clubs stating Toovey was seeking a change of club, only for him to not be an accredited manager and the AFLPA issuing a statement to clubs not to talk to Marinis. Shortly after Leon Davis announced he was leaving the club and Toovey signed a new 2 year deal tying him to the club until 2013 (link (http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/tabid/5586/default.aspx?newsid=125290)).
Season totals:
Games: 20, Kicks: 143, HBalls: 99, Marks: 40, Goals: 0.2, Tackles: 82, FreesF: 17, FreesA: 9
During the round 8 clash against Geelong, Toovey had started well but was involved in a serious collision (link (http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=113830)) where he ran with the ball into a pack and copped the knee of Hawkins to the face and chest. Toovey was stretchered off and taken to hospital where he was treated for facial cuts and chest bruising. Remarkably Toovey missed just the one game and returned to the side in round 10.
A couple of months later in round 17 clash against Carlton, Toovey was again seriously injured when he broke his knuckle in a marking contest during the closing minutes of play (link (http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/NewsFeatures/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/newsid/119084/default.aspx)). Alan ended up missing the following 4 games and returned against Brisbane in round 22.
Statistically Toovey had his biggest game the following week in round 23 against Fremantle where he had 20 possessions, 2 marks and 6 tackles. During the finals Toovey continued to play his lock down role, and in the Grand Final put on 10 tackles which was his season high.
Unfortunately for Toovey, at the end of the season his contract had expired. With other Pies players also looking for contract renewals his acting manager, Marinis, publicly announced that Collingwood had not offered Toovey an acceptable contract and that Toovey would be looking to play elsewhere. Marinis raised eyebrows when he then emailed all 17 other clubs stating Toovey was seeking a change of club, only for him to not be an accredited manager and the AFLPA issuing a statement to clubs not to talk to Marinis. Shortly after Leon Davis announced he was leaving the club and Toovey signed a new 2 year deal tying him to the club until 2013 (link (http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/tabid/5586/default.aspx?newsid=125290)).
Season totals:
Games: 20, Kicks: 143, HBalls: 99, Marks: 40, Goals: 0.2, Tackles: 82, FreesF: 17, FreesA: 9