The Carlton Football Club began the first leg of its journey under senior coach Brendon Bolton in 2016.
After notching up seven wins for the season – three more than last year – the Blues ended up finishing 14th on the ladder.
With the team now on a break, we’re taking a look back at each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 12, Blaine Boekhorst:
GAMES
Season 2016: 11
Career: 7
GOALS
Season 2016: 3
Career: 8
KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 94 (13.43)
Kicks: 53 (7.57)
Marks 27 (3.86)
Contested possessions: 31 (4.43)
Uncontested possessions: 61 (8.71)
Tackles: 14 (2.00)
OVERVIEW
After playing 11 games in his debut season last year, Boekhorst managed to pull on the navy blue jumper seven times in 2016.
The 23-year-old made a good start to the year, playing in the opening three rounds, however a wrist injury sustained in May halted the 23-year-old’s season.
To his credit, ‘Boeky’ worked tirelessly to get back on the park and eventually made his return in July through the Northern Blues.
Towards the end of the season the pacey midfielder racked up four consecutive games for Carlton after being recalled to the senior side.
HE SAID IT
“The wrist is fine, it pulled up well…the goal is to get back into the AFL side like the start of the year and play some consistent footy. If I’m playing VFL footy, it’s about showing some leadership, rallying around the boys and ideally getting as many wins as possible.”
– Boekhorst speaks to Carlton Media after his return game against Collingwood in the VFL.
THEY SAID IT
“I thought it was a positive return game for ‘Boeky’ after a few weeks out with a wrist injury. He played his role as a winger really well and importantly got forward to hit the scoreboard. He’ll look to build form and fitness in the coming weeks.”
– Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser assesses Boekhorst’s game after Northern’s Round 13 clash.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Boekhorst’s determination to run at full pace along the entire wing of the SCG and lay an inspirational tackle on Swan Xavier Richards was one of the highlights of the year.