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. 20, Lachie Plowman. 

GAMES

2019: 21
Career: 94

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 305 (14.5) Rebound 50s: 76 (3.6) Intercept marks: 39 (1.9) One percenters: 104 (5) Spoils: 86 (4.1) Tackles 48 (2.3) 

OVERVIEW

In his fourth season at the Blues, Lachie Plowman had a breakout season in defence.

After injury brought a premature end to his 2018, Plowman bounced back this season to play 21 out 22 games, only missing a game due to a fractured cheekbone that required surgery.

The defender was an integral part of the back six and showed off his versatility throughout the season, taking on the likes of Brisbane Lions livewire small forward Charlie Cameron and then Jack Darling against the reigning premiers.

Plowman achieved career-high averages for spoils, one percenters, intercept marks and disposals: it’s the kind of year which the emerging leader will look back on as a significant step.

BEST PERFORMANCE

In Round 12, Plowman was set the task of playing on eventual All Australian Charlie Cameron at Marvel Stadium.

Rated in the competition as one of the most exciting and damaging small forwards in the game, Cameron’s influence was minimal as Plowman stood up to the task. 

The versatile defender was ruthless in stopping Cameron, restricting him to just 10 disposals and a goal, while collecting 14 disposals and six rebound 50s in the side’s 15-point win.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Plowman is known for his defensive prowess, but in Round 19 at the MCG against Adelaide he showed his poise and class with ball in hand.

Finding himself in somewhat unfamiliar territory forward-of-centre, Plowman collected the ball just outside and instead of blazing for goal - it would have been his first Carlton goal - he lowered his eyes to find Michael Gibbons 30 metres from goal.

It would ultimately be the match-winning goal assist, with Gibbons converting from directly in front: the vision and execution from Plowman was perfect.

THEY SAID IT

Plowman was full of praise for the bond the back six had created at Ikon Park when speaking on The Two Tones podcast.

“The backline is very good in itself and we have some great leaders down there with ‘Simmo’ and Jacob Weitering coming through,” Plowman said.

“The best thing about the defenders is that we are sort of a team within a team.”