LACHIE Cowan isn’t counting the hypothetical chickens before they hatch.

Despite 16 games in his second season as a Blue - rarely missing a game since Round 6 - the youngster is still holding out in hope that next weekend will make his first finals game for Carlton.

The 19-year-old could hardly have been more impressive in what’s been a breakout year for the emerging defender, but Cowan is intent on staying hungry and staying humble after watching from the sidelines during last year’s memorable September run.

It was this time 12 months ago when Cowan was watching his teammates from the sidelines as a non-selected player, essentially acting as another fan. It wouldn’t have been a hard transition for him, given he’s spent all of his life as a Blue.

“It’s a very special time around the Club,” Cowan told Carlton Media at Saturday’s open training session.

“Hopefully I get to pull on the guernsey. 

“I was pretty pumped last year, watching the boys go so well deep into finals. It’s going to be so special to hopefully play: it’s got a bit of the same feel about it. Our best football stacks up, we’re good enough about the best teams.

“It’s big for me, being a Carlton supporter growing up and not really getting to watch any of that success. Hopefully we can bring something to the Carlton supporters that they’ve been waiting a while for.”

Admitting personal confidence levels have grown all throughout the season, Cowan - who was one of a youthful core of Blues that duck deep in the finals weeks - knows he has the support required both on and off the field.

That was evidence when thousands of Bluebaggers fronted up for the Club’s open training session a week before the trip to Brisbane for the elimination final.

“It’s been a very good day. They’ve come down in numbers, as they always do — it’s good to see.”