1992 Mark of the Year

Brett Allison's mark over Gavin Crosisca in 1992 was one of the highest leaps in football history. Below are some articles capturing the media reaction to the fantastic mark. Allison won "Mark of the Year" for his effort.

A Mark To Remember

By Howard Leigh

UNBELIEVABLE - that's how North Melbourne coach Wayne Schimmelbusch described yesterday's high-rise mark by half-forward Brett Allison.

"I've never seen anybody get as high as that before," Schimmelbusch said.

North Melbourne's dressing room had a finals feeling about it last night and all the talk was about Allison's mark that brought the house down. One player described it as "something you dream of taking" in league football. Supporters were happy to slap Allison on the back, but the left-footer was taking things quietly after the match. In keeping with the North Melbourne image, Allison quickly showered and left the MCG with little fuss.

Article from The Sun, 1992

Allison Sparks A Memory

By Alex Jesaulenko & Howard Leigh

That mark by North Melbourne's Brett Allison during the second quarter of the match against Collingwood yesterday was both freakish and fantastic.

It has to be one of the great marks in league football and reminded me of my mark in the 1970 grand final, also against Collingwood when I got up on the back of Graeme Jenkin.

People still talk about Richmond's Royce Hart and the great grab he took over Geelong's Peter Walker in the 1967 grand final.

And not forgetting Footscray rover Merv Hobbs, who took a skyscraper over Melbourne Trevor Johnson in the preliminary final in 1961.

Yesterday Allison rose like a bird on the back of Collingwood's Gavin Crosisca and landed perfectly feet-first before falling on his back.

I can understand how Allison felt getting up on the shoulders of his opponent and then getting that extra push up as Crosisca tried to get him off his back.

It was great to reflect last night that Allison is a product from my old home town of Canberra.

I coached Belconnen where Brett's father and former North Melbourne player Tommy Allison played as well.

My mark over Jenkin was just before half-time in front of the members' stand while Allison's was in front of goal. Importantly, he kicked a crucial goal which gave North Melbourne the lead again just before haft-time.

North showed yesterday it really is a finals threat and did a fantastic job beating Collingwood with Carey, Spargo, Rock and Shaun Smith.

For Collingwood, I'm sorry to say, the party is over.

There's nothing that coach Leigh Matthews and president Alan McAllister can do. The players have got to look each other in the eye and say to each other we are a good side.

Good sides don't win a premiership one year and fall to 10th or 11th on the ladder the next.

Yesterday the Pies only played about a quarter of football during the third and early in the last before fading again.

From my observation players like Starcevich, Shaw, Brown, Millane and Monkhorst are underdone.

What the Pies need is more match-hardening if they are to be a finals chance.

Article from The Sun, 1992

-pictures from Cazaly Series Footy Cards & The Sun Newspaper