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 

It was a season to remember for Lochie O’Brien, who played a career-best 19 games in 2022 — one more than his previous best in his debut season of 2018.

Playing the sometimes thankless role across the wing, O’Brien showed he was a valuable link between the defensive and forward lines, using his biggest assets - his kicking and speed - to link the two.

Partaking in a new-look midfield group, O'Brien worked hard to keep his spot on the wing, playing all bar one game from Round 7. 

A year after being delisted and re-rookied, O'Brien's efforts were rewarded at season's end when he earned himself a two-year contract extension.

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Emerging from "the crossroads": O'Brien, Cottrell on contract extensions

Lochie O'Brien and Matthew Cottrell spoke to Carlton Media after both put pen to paper on two-year contract extensions to remain at IKON Park.

2022 in numbers 

O’Brien averaged 18 disposals per game, using his kicking ability to generate opportunities in attack, averaging 3.2 inside 50s per game and four score involvements. 

Being an integral link between the two 50s, O'Brien averaged 364 metres gained per game, providing an outlet and then finding a target further afield.

O’Brien also contributed five majors for the season to go with his 12 goal assists.

On-field highlight 

O’Brien’s best performance came in Round 9, when the Blues took on the Giants at Giants Stadium. 

Collecting 22 disposals on the wing, O’Brien worked hard at both ends of the ground, contributing a career-high seven inside 50s, two rebound 50s and five contested possessions, whilst gaining a massive 672 metres for his team (a team-high). 

O’Brien also assisted Carlton on the scoreboard with a crucial third-quarter goal, aiding the team in their 30-point victory against Greater Western Sydney. 

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Highlights | O'Brien's breakthrough season

Watch the highlights from Lochie O'Brien's 2022 campaign.

Off-field highlight

For O’Brien, his two-year contract extension was reward for effort given where he found himself at the end of the 2021 season.

Recommitting until at least the end of 2024, the 2017 first-round draft pick now has the chance to prove himself at AFL level for another two seasons following a breakout campaign.

In their own words 

On his season as a whole and being offered a new contract, O’Brien said that the situation gave him peace of mind, but also a new motivation to take his game further in 2023. 

“I got given the opportunity and I was really thankful to the Club for that. This year was my chance to prove that they did the right thing, and going forward that’s what I’ll be doing — not only proving it to them, but also myself.

 “A lot of it came from the initial chats wth the coaches, with ‘Vossy’. It instilled belief and a clean slate. He took me for a walk around the park - which he did with a lot of players - and spoke about what he needed from me and what I needed from him. We didn’t look back from there.

“He told me to focus in on my strengths, and that’s what I did: I came back with some PBs in those areas.

“It’s definitely not the finished product, but two more years is huge news for me and a good stepping block for what I can produce in 2023 and onwards.”