About Mark Alvey

[Stealth bomber]

Guernsey Number: 31

Height 176cm
Weight: 77kg

Recruited From: Wentworth (NSW)/Bendigo U18

Debut: 1998
Date of Birth: 10 June 1980

ABOUT
His fifth season in the AFL was his best as he finally earned a regular place in the midfield and played all 22 games. Is fast across the ground and precise by foot, which makes him perfectly suited for a place in the midfield or on the wing. Likes to drift forward and finished last season with 18 goals. A four-goal effort against Port Adelaide in round 13 underlined his improvement. Will be given more opportunities with the departure of Tony Liberatore. Has recommitted himself to the club for another contract and will be keen to impress.

(I guess we can forget about those last 2-3 sentences)

PLAYER HONORS
Brownlow Medal: 2002 votes 2; career votes 2

Player Statistics - Mark Alvey

2003                K H P  M HO T FF FA G B 
ROUND 1 Geelong    18 7 25  6 0 1 1 0 3 0 
ROUND 2 Richmond   18 3 21 10 0 3 1 0 1 0 
ROUND 3 Melbourne  11 4 15  2 0 2 0 0 0 0 
ROUND 4 Essendon    2 1  3  1 0 1 0 0 0 0

 

[bozza]

Top recruit. Will not be on a huge deal, but will be worth every cent.

Any guesses as to what guernsey Sheeds will give him? I'm guessing 28.

 

[Da Bomberman]

He'd look good in a 12, But Welshy's got that, so maybe an 11? This guy is sick, I can't wait to see him next year for us. I love this guy! GO ALVESTER!

 

[windyhill]

Hard at it.
All I need to know.

 

[pazza]

Originally posted by windyhill
Hard at it.
All I need to know.

Agreed.

Quite happy.

 

[carlos' roos]

a mate of mine will do well for the bombers. Winning more games especially as opposed to the doggers will help. Still has improvement left although he has experience. Can just fill out a little more. Has been hittin the gym hard since his knee reco

 

[Stealth bomber]

He'd look good in a 12, But Welshy's got that, so maybe an 11? This guy is sick, I can't wait to see him next year for us. I love this guy! GO ALVESTER!

Pev's got 11.

I'd suggest 16 or 21 (or maybe 15 if RFK is delisted)

 

[IceTemple]

#28 sounds about right to me.

 

[Da Bomberman]

Originally posted by Stealth bomber
Pev's got 11.

I'd suggest 16 or 21 (or maybe 15 if RFK is delisted)

**** how could I forget Pevs. Sorry!

 

[B2..]

He's good value. I'm sorry he's not at the Dogs next year.

Smart pickup with pick 6.

 

[scooter600x]

Originally posted by windyhill
Hard at it.
All I need to know.

Gotta laugh.

I really liked Alves and I wish him the best, but hard at it? I suppose if you compare him with Justin Murphy.

Alvey is (well, was before his knee injury, anyway) really quick and probably has disposal skills as good as anyone at Essendon. A very good chance to do your kicking in.

Regularly kicks goals as a true rover (18 goals in 22 games in 2002).

Alvey works very hard and takes a lot of chest maks on the lead, not because he hangs out but because he works so hard across the ground. He just outsprints his opponent. Doesn't win many hard balls but gets a lot of possesions.

On the downside, he is so small, it is impossible for him to tackle anyone and he didn't work as hard when the opposition had the ball as he did when we had it.

All in all, a pretty good pick-up for you, and one who won't need a good book for the trip to Bendigo (more than can be said about Murphy).

 

[Napier_Street]

What's being small got to do with Tackling Ability?

Liberatore was the smallest player in the League and was number 1 tackler for years.

Smaller players tend to be better tacklers because they are generally quicker accross the ground, can get in and around the waist with greater ease, have a low centre of gravity (better balance).

I would argue that McVeigh is amongst Essendons 2 or 3 best tacklers and he is tiny

 

[Talktothehand]

I agree Napier.
Being shorter makes it a lot easier to takle.
I should know, I'm 5'4 and all I ever see is hips/waists when playing footy. Lower centre of gravity helps a lot.

 

[scooter600x]

Originally posted by Napier_Street
What's being small got to do with Tackling Ability?

Liberatore was the smallest player in the League and was number 1 tackler for years.

Liberatore was exceptionally strong, Alvey isn't.

 

[Anja_Nees]

Agreed. Alves was good for us and should do well for you guys (though it's always hard to tell how well someone will come back from knee surgery), but there is no way known he is 'hard at it'.

He is fast, smart, and has great disposal, but if you have a photo anywhere of that tackle he laid on Hird, frame it because you won't see it happen too often.

Still, you already have the Johnsons, Soloman, and a few more tough nuts around the place so it shouldn't be a problem. He'll do well and I think most doggie supporters would wish him all the best.

 

[Cupestar]

hmmm...good point, last time he tried to lay a tackle, got steeamrolled by Hird and rrrrip went the ACL *ouch*