Tom Alvin
Encyclopedia
Tom Alvin is a former Australian rules football
er who represented Carlton
and Victoria
.
He was among a host of Carlton players making their senior VFL
debut in Round 1 of the 1984 VFL season
against North Melbourne at Waverley Park
. Other players making their debut alongside Alvin included Wayne Blackwell
, Warren Ralph
, David Honybun
and Fraser Murphy
.
Alvin started his career at the Blues as a defensive half-back flanker, however when Robert Walls
replaced David Parkin
as coach at the start of the 1986 season, Alvin was promoted into a mid-field role. Alvin had one of his best seasons in the AFL, with the Blues making it to the Grand Final (losing to Hawthorn
by 42 points) and being selected to play State of Origin for Victoria.
In 1987 Carlton had an outstanding season, losing only four matches by a combined total of 56 points. Carlton finished the season one game clear of second placed Hawthorn, thereby earning a week's rest before the second semi-final. After a tight struggle, The Blues
beat the Hawks in the second semi-final to move straight into the Grand Final.
After a tight, bruising first quarter, Carlton ran away with the game, eventually winning by 33 points. Alvin was one of the best Blues afield, completely outclassing Hawthorn champion Gary Buckenara
.
Alvin played with the Blues until the end of the 1994 season, when he retired after 218 games. He stayed in the game for a couple of years, captain-coaching Sandringham in the VFA in 1995 and 1996.
In 1999 Alvin was inducted into the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements with the club.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who represented Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
and Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
.
AFL career
Easily identifiable on the field due to his flowing black hair and determined aggression, Alvin was recruited by Carlton from the Bairnsdale Football Club in the Latrobe Valley Football League.He was among a host of Carlton players making their senior VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
debut in Round 1 of the 1984 VFL season
1984 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1984.-Awards:* The Brownlow Medal was awarded to Peter Moore of Melbourne.* The Coleman Medal was awarded to Bernie Quinlan of Fitzroy....
against North Melbourne at Waverley Park
Waverley Park
Waverley Park was an Australian rules football stadium in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian based Victorian Football League/Australian Football League clubs. However, during the 1990s it became the home ground of...
. Other players making their debut alongside Alvin included Wayne Blackwell
Wayne Blackwell
Wayne Anthony Blackwell is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Claremont in the Western Australian National Football League and Carlton in the Victorian Football League from 1978 to 1990....
, Warren Ralph
Warren Ralph
Warren Ralph is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s. He was recruited from Claremont in the West Australian Football League....
, David Honybun
David Honybun
David Honybun is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and Richmond in the Australian Football League .- Notes :...
and Fraser Murphy
Fraser Murphy
Fraser Murphy is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton in the VFL.Murphy played as a rover who played 107 games for Carlton. He kicked 39 goals in 1985. After leaving the club in 1991 he moved to Collingwood but didn't end up playing a game for them.-External links:...
.
Alvin started his career at the Blues as a defensive half-back flanker, however when Robert Walls
Robert Walls
Robert Walls is a former Australian rules footballer and coach who now works primarily as a television commentator and newspaper columnist on the sport. On 22 June 2006 he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.- Carlton :...
replaced David Parkin
David Parkin
David Parkin is a former Australian rules footballer and four-time premiership coach.- Pre-football career :He attended Melbourne High School and during his time there, was the school vice-captain and captain of football....
as coach at the start of the 1986 season, Alvin was promoted into a mid-field role. Alvin had one of his best seasons in the AFL, with the Blues making it to the Grand Final (losing to Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
by 42 points) and being selected to play State of Origin for Victoria.
In 1987 Carlton had an outstanding season, losing only four matches by a combined total of 56 points. Carlton finished the season one game clear of second placed Hawthorn, thereby earning a week's rest before the second semi-final. After a tight struggle, The Blues
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
beat the Hawks in the second semi-final to move straight into the Grand Final.
After a tight, bruising first quarter, Carlton ran away with the game, eventually winning by 33 points. Alvin was one of the best Blues afield, completely outclassing Hawthorn champion Gary Buckenara
Gary Buckenara
Gary Buckenara played Australian rules football for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL during the 1980s.Buckenara first played senior football for Subiaco in the WAFL from 1979 to 1981. Subiaco agreed to lease him for three years for $210,000 and after a court case began his career at Hawthorn...
.
Alvin played with the Blues until the end of the 1994 season, when he retired after 218 games. He stayed in the game for a couple of years, captain-coaching Sandringham in the VFA in 1995 and 1996.
In 1999 Alvin was inducted into the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements with the club.