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. 46, Matthew Cottrell.

VFL GAMES

2019: 15

VFL GOALS

2019: 2

KEY VFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 192 (12.8) Marks: 61 (4.1) Contested possessions: 57 (3.8) Tackles: 30 (2) Inside 50s: 27 (1.8) Rebound 50s: 25 (1.7)

OVERVIEW

A lifelong dream for Matthew Cottrell came true back in February, when he - alongside Michael Gibbons - was rewarded with a spot on the Carlton list.

Over the course of his debut year, the former Dandenong Stingray built his game across a number of positions in the VFL, alternating between the wing role and across half back.

Impressing in a number of games for the Northern Blues, Cottrell showed both his football smarts and natural running game.

At his best, the 19-year-old showed his ability to impact games through his possession rate and providing a valuable link between the arcs.  

BEST PERFORMANCE

In Northern’s biggest win of the season, Cottrell had his most disposals for the year - 22 - in a 75-point triumph over North Melbourne.

However, when it came to Cottrell’s best showing, his performance in the win over Coburg caught the eye.

With 18 disposals and 11 marks, Cottrell was a consistent outlet for the Blues at Preston City Oval. The icing on the cake were two classy set shots from just inside 50.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

A boyhood Bluebagger, the highlight of Cottrell’s season came even before it began.

On the Sunshine Coast, Cottrell was swamped by his new teammates after the news that he’d be a Carlton player in 2019.

It was just reward for Cottrell and Michael Gibbons, who made the most of the chances they were afforded over pre-season.

There was the small matter of outlasting Ed Curnow in the pre-season time trial, too.

THEY SAID IT

Cottrell has Navy Blue blood running through him, with grandfather Len playing 12 games in 60 years ago.

Unsurprisingly, ‘Pop’ was delighted by the news that Matthew had made his way onto Carlton’s list.

“I’m rapt… he’s gone to an excellent home,” Len told Carlton Media.

““[My advice was] ‘Make up your mind to go and get the ball. Don’t worry about knocking anyone over, that ball is yours and when you get it that’s when you think of your teammates.”