Look up the word ‘journeyman’ in the AFL Dictionary is a picture of Mark Athorn, sitting next to other 4-clubbers such as Stuart Wigney, Adrian Fletcher and Phil Carman. Athorn, who wore the number 25 for the Blues, played 17 games for the Dogs, 21 for Fitzroy and 15 for the Swans before coming to Carlton at the end of 1991, he had originally started out with Essendon U/19’s.

In 30 games for the Blues, the right footed tagger played some good football, but perhaps Athorn is more remembered for his tagging attempts on Michael Long in our unsuccessful 1993 Grand Final. Constantly bumping the dangerous Long, then at the height of his powers and pace, Athorn was trying hard to put Long off his game. But history shall record that Long, a champion Bomber, played a brilliant game to win the Norm Smith Medal and left Athorn in his wake.

According to our records, Athorn did not play another game for Carlton, his last club. Overall, Athorn would play 83 games of VFL / AFL footy.

Athorn was originally from East Keilor.

Career Highlights

1993 – Reserves Best & Fairest Award
1994 – 6th Reserves Best & Fairest