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 defender Jacob Weitering.
GAMES
Season 2017: 22
Career: 42
GOALS
Season 2017: 7
Career: 9
KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 301 (13.7) Disposal efficiency: (79.4) Contested marks: 16 (0.7) Intercepts: 94 (4.3) Rebound 50s: 42 (1.9)
OVERVIEW
Weitering coped with the rigours of his second season in the AFL.
The 19-year-old was the youngest of seven Blues to feature in every game in 2017, taking his overall tally to 42 out of a possible 44 matches.
Used primarily in defence in his debut season, one of the big talking points heading into Round 1 was which end of the ground he’d line up at.
Those questions were answered when he spearheaded the Blues’ attack against the Tigers, booting three goals and taking three marks inside 50.
After an impressive start as a forward, the experiment only lasted for the early stages of the season, with Weitering struggling for consistency and moved back to defence.
He found his groove as the year progressed, producing his best month at the end of the season to finish in Carlton’s top five for intercepts, one-percenters and contested marks.
Contracted until at least the end of 2021, Weitering looms as a crucial piece of Carlton’s future.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Weitering was one of the Blues’ best in their final game of the season.
Despite the heavy loss to Sydney, he set new career-highs for kicks (19) and goal assists (two), while matching his personal best for marks (14), contested marks (three) and rebound 50s (five).
With Carlton’s defence under siege, Weitering’s superb first half ensured the Blues headed into the main break just 12 points down.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Weitering showed strength and smarts to outmark Richmond star defender Alex Rance in Round 1.
Judging the incoming pass from Sam Docherty to perfection, he slipped in behind Rance and outreached him to win Carlton’s Mark of the Week.
