The Carlton Football Club embarked on the second stage of its journey under senior coach Brendon Bolton in 2017.

After registering six wins, the Blues finished the season in 16th place on the ladder.

Despite falling four points short of its 2016 output, Carlton won more quarters in 2017, demonstrating the growth of the playing group in its second year with Bolton at the helm.

With the team now on a break, we’re analysing each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton defender Sam Rowe.

GAMES

Season 2017: 9

Career: 82

GOALS

Season 2017: 1

Career: 16

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)

Disposal efficiency: (83.8 per cent) Intercepts: 53 (5.9) One-percenters: 66 (7.3) Contested marks: 4 (0.4)

OVERVIEW

Rowe hit career-best form before succumbing to a season-ending ACL tear in Round 9.

The competitive defender kept some of the competition’s most dangerous forwards quiet in his nine matches, including Jesse Hogan (goalless), Darcy Moore (one goal), Tim Membrey (one goal), Joe Daniher (one goal) and Charlie Dixon (two goals).

His spoiling saw him finish 15th in the league for one-percenters per game.

While averaging just nine possessions a game, Rowe’s disposal efficiency of 83.8 per cent made him a reliable user of the footy.

The 29-year-old was rewarded for his reliability with a one-year contract extension, keeping him at Carlton until at least the end of 2018.

He'll be a late starter to resume full training this pre-season, however, as he continues his recovery from a knee reconstruction.

BEST PERFORMANCE

Rowe played one of his best games for the Club in the Round 3 win over Essendon.

He reveled in the wet conditions, recording a career-high 10 intercepts, game-high 11 one-percenters, 15 disposals and four marks.

Daniher, who finished third in the Coleman Medal, was restricted to just one goal against a determined Rowe.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Rowe earned Carlton's Mark of the Week in Round 3 for his effort against Daniher.

The dangerous Bomber had best position when David Zaharakis pumped the footy forward, but Rowe used his strength and smarts to run back with the flight, fend off Daniher and pluck the grab in the wet.