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 midfielder Billie Smedts.

GAMES

Season 2017: 9

Career: 47

GOALS 

Season 2017: 1

Career: 20

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)

Disposals: 91 (10.11) Kicks: 44 (4.89) Marks: 31 (2.22) Contested possessions: 27 (3.00) Tackles: 32 (3.56) 

OVERVIEW

Having arrived at Ikon Park from Geelong at the end of 2016, Smedts made his Carlton debut in the season opener against Richmond.

After just one senior game for the Cats in 2016, the 25-year-old pulled on his new navy blue guernsey on nine occasions. 

In Carlton’s clash with Hawthorn in Round 22, Smedts recorded a career and equal game-high eight tackles, before being sidelined with concussion in the third quarter. While teammate Bryce Gibbs also brought Hawks to ground on eight occasions, Smedts’ game time was half of the Blues’ experienced No.4, demonstrating his high level of pressure and effort on only 42 per cent game time.

Averaging 10.11 disposals in his sixth AFL season, Smedts struggled to achieve consistency within the Blues’ line-up, though he managed four successive appearances to close out the season. 

BEST PERFORMANCE 

The agile midfielder made a positive start in the No.16 with 17 disposals, five marks and three clearances against the Tigers in Round 1 – his most all-rounded senior display in 2017.