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Full name
Steven Alessio
Known as
Steven Alessio
Born
8 November 1971 (age 51)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 197d
Last game: 31y 282d
Height and weight
Height: 203 cm
Weight: 106 kg
Senior clubs
Essendon
Jumper numbers
Essendon: 44, 27
Family links
Matthew Watson (Nephew)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Essendon | AFL | 1992-2003 | 184 | 193 | 1.05 | 65% | 6.29 | 4.86 | 3.96 | 22 |
Total | 1992-2003 | 184 | 193 | 1.05 | 65% | 6.29 | 4.86 | 3.96 | 22 |
AFL: 10,336th player to appear, 815th most games played, 439th most goals kickedEssendon: 971st player to appear, 44th most games played, 26th most goals kicked
After preferring basketball to football as a youngster Steven Alessio belied this by carving out a fine AFL career with Essendon. Strongly built and very dynamic, he could operate as a ruckman or in a key forward position. Between 1992 and 2003 he played 184 senior games for the Bombers and registered 193 goals. After struggling for regular selection early in his career - he did not make the cut for the ultimately triumphant grand final clash with Carlton in 1993, for instance - he assumed the role of number one ruckman in 1995. When Essendon next went top via an emphatic grand final defeat of Melbourne in 2000 Steven Alessio was a key member of the team.
At the end of an injury-ruined 2002 campaign Alessio was de-listed only to be re-drafted a few months later after Essendon proved unable to find a replacement. The 2003 season saw him play a final 16 AFL games before retiring.
Since retiring as a player he has occupied a number of off-field roles at Essendon.
Author - John Devaney