With the start of pre-season just around the corner, Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce it has finalised its senior coaching panel after appointing Mark Harvey as an assistant coach on a two-year deal.

Harvey, a triple premiership player, returns to coaching after a year away from football and will begin his new role at the True Value Solar Centre next week.

Essendon General Manager Football Performance Neil Craig said Harvey would add valuable experience to the Bombers coaching group.

“We are delighted to have secured someone of Mark Harvey’s calibre and experience,” Craig said.

“After a thorough recruitment process with a number of number of high quality candidates interviewed for the role, Mark’s knowledge of the game, experience as a senior coach and passion to return to football left us in no doubt he was the right person for our coaching structure."

"We are confident Mark is the best fit for our football club. He will be able to make an immediate impact on our plying list and play an important role alongside assistant coaches Matt Egan and Nathan Bassett, and in supporting senior coach James Hird."

Harvey said he was excited to be returning to Essendon and working closely with the club’s talented list.

“It’s really exciting to be back at Essendon,” Harvey said

“After a year away from football, I feel really refreshed and energised about the role I can play to help the team succeed."

“We have some terrific talent on our playing list and I’m looking forward to working closely with Hirdy and the other coaches to support the players."

“It’s an exciting time to be back in with the club I love and called home for so many years of my life. Pre-season is less than two weeks away, I can’t wait to get in and start working.”

Harvey played 206-games with Essendon before retiring in 1997. He is a three-time premiership player, best and fairest winner, a leading goalkicker and two-time All-Australian. After hanging up the boots Harvey turned his attention to coaching. He started his career as an assistant at Essendon. His tenure with the Bombers spanned eight seasons under the watchful eye of Kevin Sheedy and included the successful 2000 premiership campaign. Harvey held the senior coaching role of Fremantle from 2007 to 2011. His most recent role was as an assistant coach at Brisbane for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Earlier this year, Harvey was inducted into the Essendon Football Club’s Hall of Fame.

Key Achievements

Premiership Player - 1984, 1985, 1993

Pre-Season Premiership Player - 1984,1993

Leading Goal Kicker - 1985

Best & Fairest Award - 1992

All-Australian - 1985, 1993