Tom Alvin

Career : 1984 - 1994
Debut: Round 1, 1984 vs North Melbourne, aged 21 years, 344 days
Carlton Player No. 914
Games : 218
Goals : 95
Last Game: Qualifying Final, 1994 vs Melbourne, aged 32 years, 143 days
Guernsey No. 31
Height : 183 cm (6 ft. 0 in.)
Weight : 80 kg (12 stone, 8 lbs.)
DOB : 21 April, 1962
Premiership Player 1987
Carlton Hall of Fame : 1999

Tom Alvin was recruited by Carlton in 1984 from the strong Latrobe Valley club Bairnsdale, where he had developed into an outstanding country footballer under the guidance of his coach; ex Blue Trevor Fletcher. Fletcher placed a lot of faith in the club's youth, and Alvin was one of the main beneficiaries. To this day Tom credits Fletcher as being one of the greatest influences in his career, while Bairnsdale won a Premiership in 1981 with Alvin playing a key role. By 1983, the 21 year-old had been tied to Footscray for a season or two, but when his contract lapsed, Carlton believed in his potential and offered him a second chance at a league football career. It was a winning punt by the Blues, and Alvin was eventually able to play for the team that he followed avidly throughout his childhood. Wearing guernsey number 31, Tommy turned into a popular, consistent and long-serving defender who was an integral member of three Carlton Grand Final teams.

Easily distinguished on the field by his long, shoulder-length hair, Tom said later that he rarely visited a hairdresser because the males in his family had a history of premature baldness, and he wanted to flaunt his locks while he still had them. "Eventually I may have my hair cut," he said; "but it won't be because it hinders my football." That it certainly did not. By the end of his first VFL season Alvin was a fixture on one half-back flank in a strong Carlton team that made the finals, but couldn't do better than fourth, followed by fifth in 1985.

In 1986, David Parkin was replaced as Carlton coach by Robert Walls, who saw in Tom Alvin something other than a gifted defensive flanker. At 183 cm and 81 kg, with surprising pace, good hands and superb concentration, Tom became more of a true utility. Often ruck-roving or pushing forward to kick handy goals, he had a wonderful season and was selected in the Victorian State team. In September he ran onto the MCG for his first Grand Final, only to have the day end in bitter disappointment as the Blues went down to Hawthorn by 42 points.

That heavy defeat was the spur for Carlton's sweet revenge in 1987. The Blues dominated the home and away rounds to finish on top of the ladder, then demolished Hawthorn in the Grand Final by 55 points to claim our 15th flag. Tom started in the back pocket and was a rock all day in a watertight Carlton defence, doing a superb job in tagging the Hawks trump card Gary Buckenara virtually out of the game.

Alvin's third and last Grand Final appearance in 1993 was not so joyous. Carlton was simply no match for young, vigorous and switched-on Essendon team. In a Carlton side with few real winners, Tom was sent everywhere to try to stem the tide, and won many admirers for his grit against the odds.

After 218 games that produced 95 goals, Tom Alvin retired from league football following the 1994 season. In his eleven year career from 1984 to 1994 he represented Victoria on six occasions. After leaving Princes Park, he went on to captain-coach VFA club Sandringham in 1995, and in 1999, was elected to the Carlton Hall of Fame.

Memories

The single image in my mind of Tommy Alvin takes place in 1986 in a game against the Swans at the SCG. Tommy is running the lines (as was he wont to do) when a Swans player, Tony Morwood, grabbed hold of Tommy's long locks and dragged him to the ground.

Worse was to follow, as the umpire - with the wisdom reserved for umpires and fools - paid a free kick to Morwood, deeming the hair pulling tackle legal and therefore, Tommy was caught holding the ball.

Milestones

50 Games Round 15, 1986 Vs Fitzroy
100 Games Qualifying Final, 1988 Vs Collingwood
150 Games Round 20, 1991 Vs Geelong
200 Games Round 3, 1994 Vs Geelong

Career Highlights

1984 - Reserves 5th Best & Fairest
1985 - 2nd Best & Fairest
1986 - 9th Best & Fairest
1987 - Equal 7th Best & Fairest
1987 - Senior Premiership
1988 - 10th Best & Fairest
1989 - 8th Best & Fairest
1990 - 10th Best & Fairest
1991 - 6th Best & Fairest
1991 - Best Clubman Award
1993 - 7th Best & Fairest

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Links

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Tom Alvin | Career Breakdown

Gallery

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  1988 - Carlton Reserved Seat Ticket with Tommy Alvin.
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  1994 - Tom Alvin (Select Footy Card).
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  1989 - Tom Alvin (Scanlens Footy Card).
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  Tom Alvin.jpg
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  Tommy Alvin.jpg
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  1983 Vic Country Rep Tom Alvin (14/07/83).
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  1987 Rd 5 - Tom Alvin clears the ball in time.
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  1987 Rd 7 - Tom Alvin.
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  Tommy Alvin.
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  1987 - Tom Alvin Article (page 2 of 2) 10/06/87.
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  1987 - Tom Alvin Article (page 1 of 2) 10/06/87.
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  1987 Rd 8 - Tom Alvin leads Phil Krakouer to the footy.
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  1987 Rd 12 - Tom Alvin the hero.
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  1987 Rd 12 - Tom Alvin off the ground concussed.
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  1987 Rd 14 - Tom Alvin tackles Dermott Brereton.
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  1987 Rd 4 - Tommy Alvin spills mark against Eagles.
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  1987 Rd 4 - Tom Alvin tackles Dwayne Lamb.
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  1987 Rd 15 - Tom Alvin almost misses game.
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  1987 Rd 19 - Tom Alvin flies high for a mark.
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  1987 Rd 19 - Tom Alvin takes a strong mark.
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  1987 Rd 20 - Tommy Alvin marks in front of David Cameron.
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  1987 Rd 22 - Players about to start the club song.
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  1987 - Carlton Premiers for 1987.
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  1987 GF - Tommy Alvin in top touch.
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  1987 GF - Blues belt out the theme song.
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  1987 GF - Tommy Alvin at postmatch function.
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  1984 1st Semi - Tom Alvin wraps up Dennis Banks in a tackle.
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  1985 Prac. match - David Glascott & Tom Alvin excite crowd (21/03/85).
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  1985 Rd 8 - Tom Alvin spoils Phil Walsh.
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  1985 Rd 5 - Tom Alvin.
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  1985 - Tom Alvin article (page 2 of 2) 11/05/85.
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  1985 - Tom Alvin article (page 1 of 2) 11/05/85.
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  1985 Rd 8 - Silvagni & Alvin tackle Weightman.
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  1985 Rd 10 - Tom Alvin and John Kennedy in pursuit of the footy.
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  1985 - Tommy Alvin added to the Vic. squad (22/06/85).
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  1985 - Tom Alvin & David Glascott in Vic Squad (20/06/85).
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  1985 Rd 16 - Tommy Alvin competes against two Demons.
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  1985 Rd 20 - Tom Alvin tackles Dean Turner.
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  1985 Rd 21 - Tom Alvin gets a quick kick away.
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  1985 - Tom Alvin a smokey for the Brownlow (Sheedy) 29/08/85.
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  1985 Rd 22 - Tom Alvin flies to spoil Mike Richardson.
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  1985 Elim. Final Tom Alvin.
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  1985 Elim. Final - Tom Alvin.
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  1987 Rd 8 - Tommy Alvin lunges for the footy.
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  1987 Rd 13 - A wet but happy looking Peter Dean & Tom Alvin.
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  1987 - Tom Alvin Profile (03/07/87).
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  1987 Rd 19 - Tom Alvin & David Rhys-Jones about to swoop onto the footy.
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  1986 Rd 7 - Dorotich spoils Cloke as Alvin awaits the footy.
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  1986 Rd 7 - Tom Alvin fends of Gary Shaw.
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  1986 - Tom Alvin VFLPA's Most Courageous Player for April.
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  1986 Rd 15 - Tom Alvin plays 50th game.
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  1984 Reserves GF - Mike Smith dumps an opponent as Alvin runs in.
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  1986 - Alvin & Rhys-Jones (10/04/86).Inside Football.
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  1986 Rd 4 - Tom Alvin takes a strong mark.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1986 Rd 4 - Tommy Alvin juggles a grab.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1986 Rd 6 - Tommy Alvin tackled by his mane.Inside Football
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  1986 State Game Vs SA - Blues players star (15/05/86).Inside Football.
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  1986 Rd 8 - Tom Alvin.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1986 Night GF - Tom Alvin tackles John Kennedy.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1986 Rd 16 - Tom Alvin collects the footy.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1986 Rd 18 - Tom Alvin juggles a mark.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1988 - Tom Alvin in advert.Inside Football.
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  1988 Rd 15 - Tom Alvin takes a chest mark.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1988 Rd 17 - Blues Vs Tigers.Pic: Football Record.
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  1988 Qual. Final - Alvin tackles Shaw.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1988 Qual. Final - Tom Alvin marks.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1988 Qual. Final - Blues belt out the victory song.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1989 Pre-Season Game Vs Cats. - Tom Alvin.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1989 Prac. Match - Tom Alvin avoids tackle.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1989 Prac. Match - Tom Alvin dashes off.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1989 Rd 4 - Tom Alvin.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1989 Rd 4 - Tom Alvin.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1989 Rd 7 - Tom Alvin marks.Pic: Football Record.
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  1989 Rd 14 - Tom Alvin & Ian Aitken.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1990 Rd 1 - Tom Alvin.Pic: Football Life.
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  1990 Rd 3 - Blues doing their warm-up lap.
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  1990 Rd 3 - Blues sing song at end of game.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1990 - SOS & Alvin : different styles of hair.
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  Tommy Alvin.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1991 - Tom Alvin & state of 'Dogs changerooms (10/04/91).Inside Football.
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  1991 - Ted Whitten; Tom Alvin forgets to bring boots to Big V training.Inside Football.
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  1991 Rd 14 - Tom Alvin & Brett Heady confront each other.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1991 Rd 20 - Tom Alvin's 150th game.Pic: Football Record.
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  1991 - Tom Alvin profile.Inside Football.
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  1990 Pre-season game - Tommy Alvin gets a kick away.Pic: Inside Football.
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  Tom Alvin Kicks Long.
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  1992 Rd 4 - Tom Alvin on the run.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1992 - Tommy Alvin.
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  1992 - Contrasting hair styles of Tom Alvin & Mil Hanna.Pic: Football Record.
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  1992 Rd 22 - Tom Alvin fights for the ball.Pic: Inside Football.
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  Tom Alvin Versus The Hawks.
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  1993 - Tom Alvin the quiet achiever (17/03/93).Pic: Inside Football.
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  1993 Rd 9 - A dejected Tom Alvin & Greg Williams after loss.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1994 Rd 9 - Peter Dean & Tom Alvin tackle Sean Denham.Pic: Inside Football.
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  1994 - Blues Notes (31/08/94).Inside Football.
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  1994 Rd 16 - Tom Alvin puts the block on for Matty Hogg.Pic: Inside Football
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  1995 - Tom Alvin coaching Sandringham (19/04/95).Inside Football.
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  1995 - Inspirational Tommy Alvin (06/09/95).
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  1996 - Tom Alvin: Blues Vs Pies clashes (29/03/96).
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  1993 Tom Alvin Gathers The Football Again
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  1985 - Inside Football's Team of the Week.
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  1985 - Tom Alvin Advert.
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  1985 - AFLPA Awards for August to Alvin & Williams.
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  1986 - Tom Alvin article.
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  1987 - Tom Alvin & Peter Dean Advert.
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  1987 2nd Semi - Tom Alvin tackles Brereton.
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  1988 Qual. Final - Tom Alvin: 100 games.
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  1988 - Silvagni & Alvin.
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  1989 - Tom Alvin Advert.
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  1992 Rd 23 - Alvin & Kernahan watch the footy.
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  1993 - Tom Alvin.
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  1984 Rd 1 - Justin Madden on the ground after marking watch by first gamer Tom Alvin.
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  1984 - Tom Alvin Advert. for woollen jumpers.
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  1986 Rnd 7 v Collingwood Victoria Park"1986 Rnd 7 v Collingwood Victoria Park
• File:Carlton's Tom Alvin
• File:Courtesy K. McNair"
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  1988 - London Game; Madden competes in ruck with Alvin & Kennedy in support.
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  1987 GF - Tommy Alvin gets a clearing kick.
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  1985 - Tom Alvin.
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  1984 Reserves GF - Tom Alvin & Mike Smith.
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  1984 Reserves Prelim.; Tommy Alvin running in to support David Honybun.
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  Tom Alvin cartoon.
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  1983 - VIC Country Rep's & Future Blues Peter Dean & Tommy Alvin.
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  1990 Rd 5 - Tom Alvin & Steve Da Rui in a scuffle against the Magpies.
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  Tommy Alvin in full flight.
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  1987 Pre-season Game; Gary Ablett & Tom Alvin.
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  1986 Rd 7 - Ashman & Alvin in action.
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  1995 - Former Blue; Sandringham Coach Tom Alvin.
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  1985 - VIC vs WA Line-ups.
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  1985 - Vic vs WA Playing Squads.
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  1985 - Big V; Tom Alvin.
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  1985 Rd 4 - Tom Alvin flies to spoil Neville Bruns.
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  1992 Rd 24 - Tommy Alvin dumps Peter Matera.
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  Tommy Alvin t-shirt print.
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  1994 Rd 3 - Tommy Alvin's 200th Game.
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  1986 Rd 17 Dean Strauch & Tom Alvin.
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  1988 Big V; Players After Loss. Silvagni & Alvin.