Tom Alvin
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| Personal information | |
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| Birth | April 21, 1962 , Victoria |
| Recruited from | Bairnsdale Football Club |
| Height and weight | 183cm / 81kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Debut | Round 1, 31 March 1984, Carlton vs. North Melbourne, at Waverley Park |
| Team(s) | Carlton (1984-1994)
218 games, 95 goals |
| ¹ Statistics to end of 1994 season | |
| Career highlights | |
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Tom Alvin (born 21 April 1962) is a former Australian rules footballer player who played 218 senior games for the Carlton Football Club between 1984 and 1994.
[edit] AFL career
Alvin was recruited by Carlton from the Bairnsdale Football Club in the Latrobe Valley Football League.
Alvin made his AFL debut on 31 March 1984 against North Melbourne at Waverley Park, Melbourne in front of a crowd of 36,504. Fellow Carlton players making their AFL debuts in this game were Wayne Blackwell, Warren Ralph, David Honybun and Fraser Murphy.
Alvin wore the number 31 guernsey (most famously worn by Ron Barassi) for the Blues in all of his 218 games for the club.
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 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 oustanding 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.
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