A STIRRING second half of the season will have Carlton full of confidence with 2019 coming to a close. 

Familiar faces fired in Navy Blue while the Club’s emerging youngsters owned the future in a campaign which saw the Blues record seven wins for the year.

With the home-and-away season now over, we’re going through every player who featured for Carlton at senior level in 2019.

Here’s the year that was for Carlton’s No. 44, Matthew Owies. 

VFL GAMES 

2019: 17 

VFL GOALS 

2019: 18

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets): 

Disposals: 159 (9.4) Marks: 62 (3.6) Contested possessions: 60 (3.5) Tackles: 40 (2.4) Goals: 18 (1.1)

OVERVIEW

Since swapping the basketball for the Sherrin at the end of 2018, Matthew Owies made significant strides in his development as a footballer with the Northern Blues.

Playing 17 games in the Northern guernsey, Owies made a strong case for senior selection during his debut year.

Owies became a reliable contributor of goals playing solely as a small forward, averaging over a goal per game from his 17 matches. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

Owies was a bright spark up forward in Round 11, proving how opportunistic he can be in front of goal for Northern. 

The first-year Blue made an impression in attack against Footscray, finishing the day with five goals in a breakout performance.

Despite the disappointing result on the scoreboard, it was a memorable game for Owies in just his ninth game of football. 

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

He may have kicked five against the ‘Scray in June, but it was his showing six weeks later which earned Owies J. J. Liston Trophy votes. 

The Blues recorded their biggest win of the season against North Melbourne in Round 17, running away with a 75-point victory.

Owies’ four-goal performance was recognised by the umpires, earning one vote on the VFL’s night of nights. 

THEY SAID IT

Development coach Jason Davenport reflected on Owies’ first-year growth in an edition of Coaches’ Corner.

“He’s started to realise at times the best thing for us as a team is for him to get the ball in his hands and be more dangerous,” Davenport said. 

“He’s starting now to lead up at the ball really well and he’s also finding dangerous space to be creative as a small forward in offence.”