A SELF-ADMITTED pest, on and off the field.

Matthew Owies had a career-best season in 2023, with the small forward playing 18 games and relishing his role as a chaotic character in the front half. 

Kicking a career-high 27 goals was a bonus for Owies, but his main role was to create havoc and pursue manic pressure in the forward 50 alongside his fellow small forwards. 

For the 26-year-old, it was a year he’ll always remember for the exciting times and the big moments in big games. 

“From being down in the dumps as a club, getting battered by the media and then sticking fat and coming out the other side [was great],” Owies said. 

“We won nine games in a row and then a dream run in the finals, playing in some big games – to feel the roar of the crowd and the passion and energy that it’s brought to the Club, the joy . . . it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride and one that I look back on fondly.” 

For Owies, it was a second consistent year of playing with talls Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, praising their seasons and the way they shaped his positioning and his mindset on the field. 

It's provided a key reference point for his fellow small forwards in the new-age 'mosquito fleet' on Royal Parade.

Owies couldn’t single out one in particular, but he did reference the unique journeys that individuals had been on which resulted in them being selected in the back half of the season. 

“The mosquito fleet is going to get a good run – we all have roles that we bring to the team, we bring different things,” he said. 

“‘Fog’s’ pressure and his tackling is something that stands out for him, ‘Mots’’ electricity and his energy that he brings out there and his flair and ‘Cotts’ has his running power. 

“When it comes down to it, we’re there to put the pressure on, and we can hit the scoreboard when we get the chance to finish off our work – I think this year was a good stepping stone for that little group of players.”

As for Owies himself, he relishes his ‘white-line fever’, bringing energy and passion to each game he plays – something his teammates have urged him to embrace.

And embrace it he did in 2023.

Bringing out some unique celebrations, including a jumper pull which was emulated by a number of teammates, Owies detailed how transferring the energy to his teammates and to the fans that comes naturally to the forward. 

“I get a little bit of white-line fever! My passion for the game and where I’ve come from and the journey probably comes out in those moments,” he said. 

“Jumper grabs came out this year for me. I just try and bring energy to the group and that’s something that my teammates have said that they love, the energy that I bring.

“Being able to do that on a regular basis, whether that brings enjoyment to a fan who likes a celebrator or whatnot, that’s just a bonus.” 

After being selected as a Category B rookie initially, Owies looks back fondly at his journey to the AFL and attributes his storied past to what continues his drive and motivation at Carlton. 

With his basketball life now in the past, Owies is starting to feel more comfortable as a footballer, playing to his strengths and using his designated position as Carlton's ‘pest’ to continue to bring joy, motivation and entertainment to those around him.

“I probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have that [energy], and that’s something that separates me from other people,” he said.  

“I’m not the biggest, not the tallest, not the quickest, but I’ll try my absolute hardest. It’s gotten me to where I am, and hopefully there’s a lot of development to come and take me to another level in the coming year: it's something that I’ll be striving for.”