“MATT’S a hard worker, that’s the easiest way to put it.”

Arriving at Ikon Park in the off-season as a rookie, former basketballer Matthew Owies is beginning to impress in his first season in Navy Blue. 

Replacing the basketball for the Sherrin at the end of last year, Owies has shown promising signs in his development through the VFL, recently collecting a five-goal bag against Footscray in Round 11.

Development coach Jason Davenport commended the new Blue on his work-rate in this week’s episode of Carlton Coaches’ Corner.

“I think the transition has been challenging at times for him, just the environment itself,” Davenport said.

“The playing group is much larger than a basketball team and the coaching staff is much more spread than a basketball team.

“But his career ownership element and the way he’s driving his own career with his skills and system is self-driven.”

Owies has assumed a small forward role since making his debut for the Northern Blues earlier this year, with his ability at ground level a strong suit in an otherwise tall forward line.

Davenport has been pleased with the rookie’s ability to apply pressure on inside 50, as well as provide a dangerous avenue to goal in recent weeks. 

“Initially Matt came into the side and wanted to do right by everyone else,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

While developing his game with Northern, Owies has drawn on his previous basketball experience in his new code.

Davenport credited his career as a basketballer with the young forward’s ability to find dangerous space in offence.

“Space is the biggest one. Identifying just small gaps of space and accelerating space, and also his awareness of what’s around him,” he said.

“Basketball I think has helped him with some of that body positioning too.”