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 Ciaran Byrne.

GAMES

Season 2017: 3

Career: 15

GOALS

Season 2017: 0

Career: 0

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)

Disposals: 39 (13) Marks: 13 (4.3) Disposal efficiency: (84.6 per cent) Rebound 50s: 6 (2)

OVERVIEW

After nearly 12 months out of the game with a ruptured ACL, Byrne’s return was one of Carlton’s feel-good stories of 2017.

Having undergone a knee reconstruction in July last year, the talented Irishman ran out for three senior games and seven in the VFL in 2017.

A groin injury denied him back-to-back senior appearances at first, but he recovered to feature in Carlton’s final two games.

There were grave fears he’d suffered another serious knee injury in the season-ending clash with Sydney, but fortunately it was nothing more sinister than a badly rolled ankle.

Despite being limited to a cameo role in 2017, Byrne showed his composure and strong decision-making in defence with a disposal efficiency of 84.6 per cent.

Contracted until at least the end of 2019, the best is clearly yet to come for the 22-year-old.

BEST PERFORMANCE

Byrne looked confident and uninhibited in the win over Hawthorn.

Featuring at half-back, he recorded an equal career-high 23 disposals and had five marks and four rebound 50s.

Alongside Sam Docherty, Jacob Weitering and Kade Simpson, he played an important role in setting up the Blues out of defence.