Mark Harvey
Harvey in June 2017
Personal information
Full name Mark Harvey
Date of birth (1965-06-11) 11 June 1965 (age 58)
Original team(s) Keilor (EDFL)
Height 184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 88 kg (194 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1984–1997 Essendon 206 (170)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
1985–1994 Victoria
Coaching career3
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
2007–2011 Fremantle 97 (39–58–0)
2013 Brisbane Lions 3 (2–1–0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1997.
3 Coaching statistics correct as of 2013.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Mark Harvey (born 11 June 1965) is a former Australian rules football player and coach. He played over 200 games during fourteen seasons with the Essendon Football Club, winning three premierships, and was senior coach of Fremantle from 2007 to 2011. In August 2013, he took over as interim senior coach of the Brisbane Lions following the resignation of Michael Voss as senior coach.[1] From 2015 until 2020, Harvey served as an assistant coach at the Essendon Football Club.[2][3]

Playing career

Essendon

Harvey played for Essendon Football Club for a total of 14 seasons from 1984 until 1997, playing a total of 206 games where he kicked a total of 171 goals.[4][5]

Harvey was originally known as a skilful forward, playing that role in the 1984 and 1985 premiership sides, including kicking four goals in the 1985 premiership win. However, injuries in his later career (particularly to his ankles) meant he was used more as a defender, which reduced the stress on his body. In his role as a defender he often played as centre half-back against much taller opponents, making up for his lack of height with his aggressive attack on the football.[6]

Harvey finished in the top five of the Essendon best-and-fairest on four occasions, winning the award in 1992. He was named in the All-Australian team in 1985 and 1993; he also played in premiership sides both those years as well as in 1984. He was also the side's leading goalkicker for the 1985 season, an unusual feat for a medium-sized forward in a premiership winning team. In 2002 he was named as the 18th greatest player to play for the club in the "Champions of Essendon" list.[7]

After Harvey announced his retirement from his playing career at the end of the 1997 season, Harvey was given an emotional farewell by his team-mates after a narrow Round 22, 1997 victory over Adelaide Crows at Princes Park.[8]

In 2001 Harvey admitted that he suffered from bulimia for 3 to 4 years of his playing career, after he gained weight following a broken leg.[9]

Coaching career

Essendon Football Club assistant coach (1998-2005)

Harvey retired as player at the end of the 1997 season, after realising injuries had taken their toll on his body and he could no longer contribute to the side in the way he would like. He remained at Essendon as an assistant coach under senior coach Kevin Sheedy.[10] In the years since was often suggested as a possible senior coach. At the end of the 2004 season, Harvey was a front-runner for a number of coaching jobs, but either wasn't offered or chose not to take each of them, and continued to be an assistant at Essendon.[11] However, after the end of the 2005 season, Harvey resigned as Essendon assistant coach.[12]

Fremantle Football Club assistant coach (2006-2007)

Harvey then to took up a job at Fremantle as an assistant coach under senior coach Chris Connolly. He helped Fremantle have their most successful season to date in the 2006 season, reaching the preliminary final.[13]

Fremantle Football Club senior coach (2007-2011)

Following a poor start to the 2007 season, Chris Connolly resigned as senior coach after Round 15, when Dockers lost to the Kangaroos by four points, with the Dockers sitting at thirteenth position on the ladder with six wins and nine losses. Harvey was then appointed the caretaker senior coach of Fremantle Football Club for the remainder of the 2007 season.[14] Harvey made his debut as the senior coach for the first time against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on 21 July 2007.[15] Fremantle performed very well, scoring their highest ever score in South Australia and winning by 25 points.[16][17] Harvey led Fremantle to win four of the seven remaining games in the 2007 season, but it wasn't enough to make the finals, finishing in eleventh place.

On 17 September 2007, it was announced that Harvey would be re-appointed as the senior coach of Fremantle on a contract for the next three seasons.[18][19]

The 2008 season did not start well for Harvey with Fremantle only winning twice in the first thirteen rounds, including a demoralising loss to the previously winless Melbourne despite leading by 50 points at half time in round seven. At the end of the 2008 season, Fremantle under Harvey finished fourteenth on the ladder with six wins and sixteen losses.[20] The following year at the end of the 2009 season Fremantle under Harvey finished fourteenth on the ladder yet again with six wins and sixteen losses.[21]

In the 2010 season, Harvey returned Fremantle to the finals after a three-year absence. Fremantle won its first three matches of a season for the first time ever; which culminated in an upset seven-point victory over the previous season's premiers, Geelong.[22] But late in the season, Harvey rested up to half of his regular side ahead of a match against Hawthorn in Launceston and the result was a 116-point defeat, just one point off their record margin loss of 117 points suffered against Adelaide just a season earlier. But against the same opponents a fortnight later, the Dockers won its first finals match under Harvey, and its first since 2006, with a win by 5 goals. Fremantle's 2010 season under Harvey ended in a disappointing defeat to Geelong at the MCG a week later.

In the 2011 season, Fremantle under Harvey finished eleventh on the ladder with nine wins and thirteen losses, missing out of the finals. Despite being praised for his efforts in attempting to field a fit Fremantle side late in the season when the club was suffering one of the worst injury tolls in the AFL, Harvey was unexpectedly sacked as Fremantle Football Club senior coach on 15 September 2011 at the end of the 2011 season.[23][24][25][26] He was replaced by former St Kilda senior coach Ross Lyon who on the same night of Harvey's dismissal had resigned from his post as Saints senior coach.[27][28]

Brisbane Lions assistant coach (2012-2013)

In November 2011, Harvey signed on as a senior assistant coach to the Brisbane Lions under Michael Voss for the 2012 season and the 2013 season.[29]

Brisbane Lions caretaker senior coach (2013)

On 13 August 2013, Harvey was appointed caretaker senior coach of Brisbane Lions for the remainder of the 2013 season, replacing Michael Voss who had been told his contract would not be renewed. Voss then opted not to coach out his contract which expired at the end of the 2013 season.[30][31] Harvey led Brisbane Lions to win two of the remaining three games left in the 2013 season, to finish Brisbane Lions in twelve position on the ladder. Harvey was however not retained as the Brisbane Lions senior coach at the end of the 2013 season.[32] On 3 October 2013, Harvey quit the Brisbane Lions after Justin Leppitsch was appointed as the Brisbane Lions senior coach for the 2014 season. Harvey then returned to Perth.[33]

Essendon Football Club assistant coach (2015-2020)

On 22 October 2014, Harvey announced that he would return to Essendon as an assistant coach.[34][35][36][37][38] At the end of the 2020 season, Harvey stepped down from his role as assistant coach of the Essendon Football Club.[39]

Post coaching-career

At the end of the 2020 season, Harvey transitioned out of coaching, but remained at the Essendon Football Club and moved into a role that works across both sides of the football department and administration. Harvey is heavily involved in pro scouting and opposition analysis in the football department, while also working with the commercial department to engage and connect with key coterie and corporate stakeholders.[40][41]

Statistics

Playing statistics

[42]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
  #  
 Played in that season's 
premiership team
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1984# Essendon 38 16 28 23 210 39 249 73 — 1.8 1.4 13.1 2.4 15.6 4.6 — 6
1985# Essendon 38 24 48 34 354 121 475 138 — 2.0 1.4 14.8 5.0 19.8 5.8 — 7
1986 Essendon 38 20 21 24 258 72 330 90 — 1.1 1.2 12.9 3.6 16.5 4.5 — 0
1987 Essendon 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0
1988 Essendon 1 15 14 10 243 58 301 82 26 0.9 0.7 16.2 3.9 20.1 5.5 1.7 0
1989 Essendon 1 12 11 10 150 57 207 51 16 0.9 0.8 12.5 4.8 17.3 4.3 1.3 2
1990 Essendon 1 13 16 14 163 26 189 59 13 1.2 1.1 12.5 2.0 14.5 4.5 1.0 0
1991 Essendon 1 12 17 13 164 41 205 78 13 1.4 1.1 13.7 3.4 17.1 6.5 1.1 0
1992 Essendon 1 22 1 1 344 89 433 98 24 0.0 0.0 15.6 4.0 19.7 4.5 1.1 2
1993# Essendon 1 22 7 4 385 109 494 122 25 0.3 0.2 17.5 5.0 22.5 5.5 1.1 5
1994 Essendon 1 8 1 1 124 46 170 43 10 0.1 0.1 15.5 5.8 21.3 5.4 1.3 1
1995 Essendon 1 11 0 1 136 33 169 44 5 0.0 0.1 12.4 3.0 15.4 4.0 0.5 0
1996 Essendon 1 24 5 4 313 99 412 105 39 0.2 0.2 13.0 4.1 17.2 4.4 1.6 3
1997 Essendon 1 6 1 2 55 25 80 27 2 0.2 0.3 9.2 4.2 13.3 4.5 0.3 0
Career 206 170 141 2900 815 3715 1010 173 0.8 0.7 14.1 4.0 18.0 4.9 1.2 26

Head coaching record

Team Year Home and Away Season Finals
Won Lost Drew Win % Position Won Lost Win % Result
FRE 2007 4 3 0 .571 11th out of 16 — — — —
FRE 2008 6 16 0 .273 14th out of 16 — — — —
FRE 2009 6 16 0 .273 14th out of 16 — — — —
FRE 2010 13 9 0 .591 6th out of 16 1 1 .500 Lost to Geelong in Semi Final
FRE 2011 9 13 0 .409 11th out of 17 — — — —
FRE Total 38 57 0 .400 1 1 .500
BRI 2013 2[n 1] 1 0 .667 12th out of 18 — — — —
BRI Total 2 1 0 .667 0 0 .000
Total 40 58 0 .408 1 1 .500
[43]

Champions of Essendon

In 2002 an Essendon panel ranked him at 18 in their Champions of Essendon list of the 25 greatest players ever to have played for Essendon.

Personal life

He was involved in a nightclub fight in Darwin, Northern Territory on 17 June 2007 when he was king hit and knocked unconscious. This followed Fremantle's loss to Western Bulldogs and on the same night as Chris Tarrant was involved in an altercation with Jason McCartney.[44]

On 13 June 2010 The Age newspaper journalist Emma Quayle revealed in her book Nine Lives: football, cancer and getting on with life on former Essendon Football Club player Adam Ramanauskas that Harvey had, 10 years earlier, suffered from a brain tumour. Following successful treatment, Harvey has remained in remission ever since.[45]

Notes

  1. ^ Harvey took over as interim head coach after Michael Voss was fired following round 20 with a record of 8-11, leading the Lions to a 2-1 record in their final three games. Thus, the first 19 games are credited to Voss and the final 3 to Harvey.

References

  1. ^ Atkinson, Tom (17 February 2014). "Mark Harvey happy in life". Radio 6PR. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  2. ^ "AFL 2020: Essendon coach, Mark Harvey, Ben Rutten, John Worsfold, Bombers, Essendon coaches, James Kelly". Fox Sports. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Coaches Profiles". essendonfc.com.au. Essendon Football Club. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  4. ^ "2014 Hall of Fame - Mark Harvey". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  5. ^ "MARK HARVEY". Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  6. ^ Champions of Essendon Profile Archived 31 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ List of Champions of Essendon Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "2014 Hall of Fame - Mark Harvey". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  9. ^ Smith, Amanda; Abused Bodies Archived 7 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine; Radio National; 7 September 2001
  10. ^ "2014 Hall of Fame - Mark Harvey". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Harvey appointed into dual role". 15 September 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  12. ^ "2014 Hall of Fame - Mark Harvey". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Harvey's fresh beginnings". 8 August 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Harvey accepts Dockers post". 20 July 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  15. ^ AAP; Harvey takes over AFL reins at Freo; 21 July 2007
  16. ^ Fremantle scores at Aami Stadium[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ Shiell, Alan; Dockers win in Harvey debut Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine; 21 July 2007
  18. ^ AAP;Harvey named as Fremantle coach;17 September 2007; Retrieved on 17 September 2007
  19. ^ "Harvey confirmed as Dockers coach". 17 September 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Harvey's fresh beginnings". 8 August 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  21. ^ Butler, Steve; Dockers check into the Hall of Shame Archived 20 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine; 5 May 2008; The West Australian
  22. ^ "Fremantle face the final frontier". 3 June 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  23. ^ Simon White; Lyon's den as Harvey cops heave-ho; 15 September 2011; WA Today
  24. ^ "Mark Harvey sacking shocks AFL world but Fremantle were weighing up decision to move him on weeks ago". Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Fremantle Docker's coach sacking backlash". 16 September 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  26. ^ "Mark Harvey parts with Fremantle". 15 September 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Lyon's Freo shocker". 16 September 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Ross Lyon becomes Fremantle coach as Mark Harvey flees Perth". 16 September 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  29. ^ Duffield, Mark (4 November 2011). "Harvey fired up to roar at Lions". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  30. ^ Brisbane Lions chasing Paul Roos as Michael Voss given marching orders | The Australian 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013
  31. ^ "Brisbane Lions sack coach Michael Voss to stop player walkout". 13 August 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Coaches throughout history". 18 September 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Mark Harvey quits Lions, Schwab joins staff". 3 October 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  34. ^ Harvey appointed assistant coach, Essendon Football Club official website, 22 October 2014
  35. ^ "Mark Harvey unveiled as Essendon assistant coach". 22 October 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Club legend Mark Harvey returns to Essendon as assistant coach". 22 October 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  37. ^ "Bombers confirm appointment of Mark Harvey as assistant coach". 22 October 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  38. ^ "New Essendon assistant Mark Harvey happy to take a back seat". 26 October 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  39. ^ "Essendon champion to move on from coaches' box". 15 September 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  40. ^ "Harvey appointed into dual role". 15 September 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  41. ^ "Harvey explains new role". 15 September 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  42. ^ Mark Harvey's player profile at AFL Tables
  43. ^ "AFL Tables – Michael Voss – Coaching Record". Afltables.com. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  44. ^ Beacham, D & Duffield, M;Coach hit, Tarrant scuffle in Darwin; 18 June 2007
  45. ^ Emma Quayle; AFL coach reveals secret: my brain tumour battle; 5 May 2008; The Age

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mark Harvey.
Essendon Football Club 1984 VFL premiers
Essendon Football Club 1985 VFL premiers
Essendon Football Club 1993 AFL premiers
Coaches of the Fremantle Football Club
Coaches of the Brisbane Lions
Crichton Medal · Essendon Football Club best and fairest winners
Essendon Football Club · leading goalkickers
1985 All-Australian team
1993 All-Australian team
Victorian team – 1986 State of Origin
Victorian team – 1992 State of Origin
Victorian team – 1993 State of Origin
Victorian team – 1994 State of Origin
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