THE first season under AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss will go down as one to remember and one of transformation for the Carlton Football Club.
It was a year where a number of Carlton players enjoyed breakthrough seasons, whether that was a key milestone, a landmark achievement, the start of a journey or a career-best campaign.
Year in review
Lewis Young’s first season in the Navy Blue was one to remember for the 23-year-old, playing 19 games (10 more than his previous best) and proving to be a pivotal part of the defensive line-up – especially in the absence of Jacob Weitering.
Young’s aerial contest work - with his ability to either intercept or spoil - saw him a mainstay in the team after his Carlton debut in Round 3, only missing one game due to AFL Health and Safety Protocols for the rest of the season.
The chance to consistently feature at the highest level was a valuable asset for Young, who hadn’t played more than four games in a row before 2022.
His reliability in a one-on-one contest was solid, taking on an elevated role while Weitering was out with injury and partnering well with the co-vice captain upon his return.
A self-admitted introvert by nature, Young made it his mission to fit in at his new club, turning his off-field confidence to on-field form by backing himself in and gaining the trust of his new teammates, proving his future is very bright in Navy Blue.
2022 in numbers
Young topped the table in a number of defensive areas, ranking first in one percenters per game and ranked third in total one percenters across the entire competition.
Averaging 10 spoils a game, Young broke the record when he recorded 24 against Melbourne in Round 22 on a night where he was one of the Blues' best.
Averaging eight intercept possessions and three rebound 50s, Young’s defensive nuance held him - and the backline - in good stead.
On-field highlight
While he had two games with over 20 one percenters (Richmond in Round 14 and Melbourne in Round 22), Young's best performance arguably came in the game where most eyes were on him.
In the first match without Jacob Weitering, Young had the task of playing on Peter Wright, taking on a key post in the backline and keeping Essendon's leading goalkicker without a major.
In his own right, Young recorded 18 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s in a comprehensive performance down back.
Off-field highlight
Young debuted for Carlton in Round 3 for the Blues, which would also be his first win in the Navy Blue.
It was a special day for Young, who was surrounded by family in the pre-game jumper presentation and had his guernsey presented by Carlton Hall of Famer Wayne Johnston.
Young played a solid first game in his new colours, totalling 11 one percenters and three rebound 50s, but sharing the Powerade shower post-game with close mate Jordan Boyd will be an experience Young will never forget.
In their own words
Speaking to AFL Media's Riley Beveridge, Young detailed the mental issues of the game that he struggles with and how he’s working to overcome them.
"Even earlier this year, when I wasn't in the AFL side, I wasn't doing that as much as I'd like. I was just nervous coming into a new team and trying to earn respect. Once I came out of my shell a bit and started playing on my instincts, it really helped me.
"I haven't been overthinking things. I've done a lot of work with our psychologist here, Dr Tarah Kavanagh, who worked with me on cutting the game up into pieces. If you make a mistake, you move on. You cut that piece out and you go to the next piece of the pie. It might be a quarter, it might be minutes in a game, a goal, whatever it is … you cut it up and you go back to playing on your instincts."
