Games: 11
Goals: 7
Kicks: 101
Marks: 50
Handballs: 93

The Fan's Rating: 4.4/10

Some of what the fan's had to say:

""Very disappointing after a big pre-season.""

""Looked as if he was coming back when he got hurt, but looked hesitant and very one-sided during some games. I now dread hearing that """"Mark Mercuri is training the house down"""" because it means he'll be injured soon.""

""One of Essendon's greats, Mercuri didn’t see much of the footy this season due to injury. We all know how damaging he is in the midfield and up forward, and I'm sure that 2003 will be the year to shine once again.""

""Again a disappointing year. Promised so much in 1999 and the return has been horrible. Let's hope Mar can get right physically and regain his position in the top 5 players at Essendon.""

""Was playing his best football of the year against Melbourne until he was injured. Really needs to show his 99 form or this could be his last year at the Bombers.""

""Injuries have ruined his past 2 years - extraordinarily gifted player who owes the club a huge year in 2003.""

""Very poor value for money. Needs to present himself fit enough to play 100 minutes for 25 weeks of the season. Has not justified his huge wage in recent seasons.""

""Felt Mark was starting to run into some good form prior to the injury, but it has now been quite some time since we have seen Mark Mercuri at his best.""

""Definitely his most disappointing season that I can remember. He struggled for form in the first half of 2002 but started to show glimpses of his old-self in Round 13, but in a cruel twist of fate severely injured his groin and that was that.""

""Season spoiled by injury. When fit and playing at his best he is one of the elite in the competition. Needs big preseason to get the most out of his body.""

The wash up:
A disappointing year for the club's former champion. Injuries have continued to play havoc on Mercuri and stopped him from playing the kind of football he showed he is capable of in season 1999. Mercuri started to run into some good form before injuring his groin in Round 13 against Melbourne - the injury that ended up finishing the season for the 28-year-old. Chronic injuries continue to hurt Mercuri - he needs a solid year in 2003 to justify his contract.

What Mark Harvey has to say:
I thought Mercuri was getting back to some good form before injuring his groin against Melbourne. He is a leader at the club and he needs to conduct himself that way on the field. He has set high standards for himself since the 1999 season and therefore is open to criticism. Not that a player should need motivation, but because he has copped a lot of criticism over the last year, it should give him added incentive to spur him along. He needs to have an injury-free pre-season and recapture the form of previous years. We may use him in a half-back flank role next season.