Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Mark Orchard

Known as
Mark Orchard

Born
2 April 1976 (age 47)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 13d
Last game: 24y 111d

Height and weight
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 75 kg

Senior clubs
Collingwood; Sydney

Jumper numbers
Collingwood: 41, 32, 2
Sydney: 24

Recruited from
Collingwood (1997); Sydney (1999)

Mark Orchard

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
CollingwoodAFL1995-1996, 1999-200045100.2229%6.736.091.780
SydneyAFL1997-19984150.1259%8.126.371.800
AFL1995-200086150.1743%7.406.221.790
Total1995-200086150.1743%7.406.221.790

AFL: 10,585th player to appear, 2,842nd most games played, 4,302nd most goals kickedCollingwood: 961st player to appear, 374th most games played, 441st most goals kickedSydney: 1,276th player to appear, 395th most games played, 644th most goals kicked

Mark Orchard was a talented and productive midfielder who became considerably more effective over time. He debuted with Collingwood in 1995 but managed just a dozen senior appearances (and four goals) in two seasons before being traded to Sydney. He settled quickly at the Swans, becoming a key component in their midfield structure, but after 41 games and five goals in two seasons he requested a transfer back to Collingwood, which was duly arranged. His second stint with the Magpies was much more successful than the first as he consistently produced football of high quality and effectiveness. It therefore came as something of a surprise when he was de-listed at the end of a 2000 season which had seen him play 18 out of 22 matches. However, the fact that the Magpies performed so poorly, winning just seven games and finishing second from last, perhaps explains why the axe was resorted to.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.