Alex Marcou

Career : 1979-1986
Debut : Round 3, 1979 v Essendon, aged 20 years, 268 days
Carlton Player No. 879
Games : 134
Goals : 148
Last game : Round 11, 1986 v North Melbourne, aged 27 years, 338 days
Guernsey No. 34
Height : 178 cm
Weight : 76 kg
DOB : 6 July, 1958
Premiership Player: 1979, 1981, 1982
Carlton Hall of Fame (2006)


Alex Marcou was a member of Carlton’s fabled mosquito fleet of brilliant small men of the 1970’s and ‘80’s, and a three-time Premiership rover for the Blues. Recruited within the Blues recruiting zone, from northern suburban VAFA club Thomastown, he was among four first-gamers for Carlton in the opening round of the 1979 season. The others were Wayne Johnston, Robbert Klomp and Peter Francis; all of whom were destined for Premiership glory.

Marcou was a lightning-quick rover with sure ball-handling skills and excellent goal sense. Aged 20 on debut, by mid-season in ‘79 he was a regular in a powerful Blues combination that topped the ladder, then went on to beat Collingwood by 5 points in a see-sawing Grand Final on a boggy MCG. It was the perfect culmination to a great first year for the 178 cm, 76 kg speedster wearing number 34, and he was widely regarded as Recruit of the Year.

Carlton crashed out of the 1980 final series in successive weeks, but under new coach David Parkin, bounced back to beat Collingwood for the ’81 flag. This time, Marcou came off the bench when Carlton trailed by 21 points in the third quarter of the Grand Final. His pace was a factor as Carlton steadied, then rallied to win by 20 points. It was the Blues’ twelfth flag, and the second in a row over Collingwood.

Our opponent in the 1982 Grand Final was our other great rival, Richmond, who were hot favourites for the flag after cleaning up the Blues in the second semi-final. Carlton were facing their fourth knock-out final in as many weeks. As expected, from the first bounce on Grand Final day, Richmond came out as hard at the man as the ball. But this time, Carlton would not buckle. Trailing by 11 points at half time, the Blues came storming back for a gritty 18 point win. Carlton’s rovers Rod Ashman and Marcou had the better of their Tiger rivals in the second half, thanks to the dominance of ruckmen "Wow" Jones and captain Mike Fitzpatrick.

In a familiar story, Lady Luck turned her back on Alex after a charmed run early in his career. A string of soft tissue tears was topped off by a broken jaw (twice!) in 1985, then another leg problem kept him out of Carlton’s 1986 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn. Following that all-round disappointment, the offer of pastures new at St Kilda proved too tempting for Marcou and his request for a transfer to the Saints was granted. In eight seasons at Princes Park, he had notched 134 games, 148 goals and three priceless Premierships. He had also worn the Big Vee for Victoria on three occasions.

In 1987, his first season at St Kilda was a good one for Alex and he was a fine contributor in a young team. Frustration returned in ’88 however, as ever more serious hamstring and calf injuries reappeared. Reluctantly, he realised it was time to call it a day after adding another 24 games and 17 goals to his tally in two seasons at Moorabbin.

In 1989 after retiring from league football, Marcou played at VFA club Springvale, the club was being coached by premiership teammate Phil Maylin. He later returned to Carlton as an energetic and active member of the Past Players. In 2006 he was a popular – some would say overdue - choice for induction into the Carlton Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights

1978 Reserves Best & Fairest Award
1978 Carlton Supporters Reserves Best & Fairest Award
1980 7th Best & Fairest
1981 10th Best & Fairest
1982 7th Best & Fairest
1983 6th Best & Fairest
1985 4th Reserves Best & Fairest

Links

Blueseum: Summary of Alex Marcou's playing career | Career Breakdown | Marcou's Blueseum Image Gallery

---