A SOLID start. 

In his first year on an AFL list, Jaxon Binns made quite an impression at VFL level. 

According to Head of Development and Carlton Reserves coach Luke Power, the jump from under-18s competition to the state league is considerable, making his selection in the 2023 VFL Team of the Year all the more impressive.

“To be able to do what he’s done and to be able to make the VFL Team of the Year and consistently perform at a really high level in the VFL has been really pleasing,” Power said on Carlton Coaches' Corner. 

“It’s really hard for young players to come into senior footy at any level and the VFL being arguably the second hardest competition in Australia. It’s really hard to come in at such a young age and be able to do what he’s done and perform every week.”

Making the wing position his own, Binns' strengths - his running prowess and his commitment to his role - were on full display.

Working back to assist his defence as well as linking up in offensive transition and hitting the scoreboard were just some of the traits that impressed Power as Binns works towards an AFL debut.

“He understands the importance of his reaction and being able to outnumber behind the footy and get back and support his defence and also to challenge forward of the footy and kick a few goals,” he said. 

“The pleasing thing is that he got back a lot to support outnumber situations for us and it actually fuels his game, because it then enables him to get involved in chains on the way out and he’s got more room up the ground to be able to get involved in those chains, which is what we want through his overlap.

“It’s a really big requirement of the role – the best outside players of the competition are the ones who can finish for their team."

The winner of the Carlton Reserves' Best and Fairest, Binns re-signed with the Club until the end of 2026, joining the fellow members of last year's draft class - Ollie Hollands, Lachie Cowan and Harry Lemmey - in recommitting at Carlton.

Power noted that Carlton fans should be excited to see what the 19-year-old can bring with more time in the system, taking a patient approach with the youngster who is already one of the team's best runners.

“[Fans] have a lot to be excited about – he’s played 17 games in the VFL this year and in the Team of the Year on the wing in his first year of senior football, which isn’t easy coming out of the under-18s competition,” Power reiterated.

“I think everyone understands his running capability - he’s probably the best runner over distance at the Club - so we just need to continue to build his body to work on his repeat efforts. That's going to enable him to contribute in the contest and also be able to maintain his strength, which is his running.”