The Carlton Football Club began the first leg of its journey under senior coach Brendon Bolton in 2016.
After notching up seven wins for the season – three more than last year – the Blues ended up finishing 14th on the ladder.
With the team now on a break, we’re taking a look back at each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 43, Simon White:
GAMES
Season 2016: 17
Career: 76
GOALS
Season 2016: 2
Career: 12
KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 261 (15.35)
Kicks: 132 (7.76)
Marks: 76 (4.47)
Contested possessions: 91 (5.35)
Uncontested possessions: 175 (10.29)
Tackles: 42 (2.47)
OVERVIEW
Simon White’s 17-game return on 2016 ensured that Carlton had at its disposal an honest, competitive backman who could also push up for shut-down roles on the game’s best.
The swingman was once again thrown from one end to another, and each time White played his role for the team.
In Round 14’s clash with the Giants, White was placed in the forward line by senior coach Brendon Bolton. The tactical move proved successful, with White keeping rebounding defender Heath Shaw to just 12 touches for the entire game.
White collected a career-high 23 disposals against West Coast in Round 17, including 12 kicks, 10 marks and four tackles.
At 27, and with 76 career matches to his name, last year’s Best Clubman can prime himself for his best season in eight (and with it Life Membership) at Princes Park.
HE SAID IT
“I’m just happy to play my role for the team. ‘Bolts’ (Bolton) will tell me if I’m forward or back and I’m happy to play at either end. I feel confident in the backline, I like playing with ‘Simmo’ (Kade Simpson), ‘Dochers’ (Sam Docherty) and ‘Rowey’ (Sam Rowe), but I’m also happy to play forward.”
– White chats to Carlton Media ahead of the Blues’ Round 18 clash with the Swans.
THEY SAID IT
“Whitey’ provided a real calming influence on our back six with his leadership, and he defended well and supported in aerial contests.”
- Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser commends White’s performance after Northern’s Round 1 clash.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
In the Round 14 clash with the Giants, the defender took a solid contested grab in Carlton’s forward 50 and then went back and slotted the goal. For his efforts he was awarded the Blues’ ‘Goal of the Week’.
