Alvey was just establishing himself in the starting 18 at the Western Bulldogs before injuring his knee early last season. The previous year he had been the Bulldogs’ sixth highest possession winner and led the side in inside 50s. He undoubtedly has what it takes to play elite level football.
“Where we will improve next year is that we have actually traded for three players who can play the game at the highest level. If they happen to become three bench players, I think we will have already improved the team. We have some real depth at the club now and Mark Alvey adds greatly to that,” Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.
“There are a lot of experienced players on the list now and on top of that we are expecting (Joel) Reynolds, (Jason) Winderlich, (Darren) Walsh, (Jobe) Watson and (Ben) Haynes to all be pushing up for senior midfield roles next season. It has been terrific to see the attitude of these kids already – they have been here doing some stuff and there is a real sense of urgency. It’s only a small sign but a good one.”
Alvey is of course basically didn’t play last season having to undergo a knee reconstruction. Dodoro said the injury while not ideal, didn’t greatly concern the club.
“We have spoken to the doctors and surgeons who worked on his knee so we know where he is at. He is five or six months into his rehabilitation so it does not concern us. The way guys recover from knees nowadays mean you don’t have to worry too much about them getting back to full fitness,” he said.
“He is a very fit individual who was really pushing himself into that elite fitness level at the Bulldogs with the likes of Scott West and Brad Johnson. He also has very good pace. He is a guy that we have wanted to get here because he uses the ball well. He wins the footy in good places and when he gets it he punishes teams.”
Along with Murphy, Alvey will give the Bombers some added run through the midfield; something that lacked at times last season, particularly when Adam Ramanauskas was missing.
“He is the type of player we needed – we don’t have a lot of that type unlike other players. Our inside players are good – the likes of Jason Johnson, Damian Peverill and James Hird – and now we have a couple who can run and carry the footy and that will freshen up the midfield,” Dodoro said.
“He has been very keen to get here for the past two or three years. He is running at the moment and making great progress and there is no reason why he won’t play round one next year. If he is fit and in form he is in our best 22, if not our best 18.”
Dodoro said Alvey’s ability to kick goals was an added bonus.
“He is a natural winger who can also play as a genuine rover. He also kicks goals – he kicked four classy goals, clinical finishes, in round one last year against Geelong. A couple of weeks later he did his knee against us. That was unlucky for him so hopefully the tide has turned for him with this move,” he said.
