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 14^th 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. 17, Sam Rowe:

GAMES

Season 2016: 22

Career: 73 

GOALS

Season 2016: 2

Career: 15

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)

Disposals: 198 (9.00)

Kicks: 99 (4.50)

Marks 84 (3.82)

Contested possessions: 69 (3.14)

Uncontested possessions: 128 (5.82)

Tackles: 28 (1.27)

One percenters: 215 (9.77) 

OVERVIEW

In what was a very consistent year for the defender, Sam Rowe pulled on the navy blue jumper for every game this season.

Often playing a one-on-one role down back against the opposition’s best forward, the 28-year-old finished the season ranked third in the competition for one-percenters, and topped the Club for this stat.

With rotations being capped at 90, Rowe also spent the most time on the ground for Carlton, averaging 95.45 per cent per game, and ranked fifth for disposal efficiency. 

In Carlton’s Round 8 win against Port Adelaide, Rowe stepped up and showed his versatility. While Matthew Kreuzer was off the ground with a knee   injury, Rowe moved into the ruck and played up forward. He gathered 13 disposals, 12 hitouts and kicked a goal in a memorable performance.

His efforts were clearly noticed by the coaches, finishing equal sixth alongside Matthew Wright in the Club’s best-and-fairest count. 

Sam Rowe produced one of his best seasons in the navy blue. (Photo: AFL Media)

HE SAID IT

“It’s always nice, Tuohy was loitering around the back looking for a cheap handball, but I told him I had that one, so I was pretty happy with that."

- Sam Rowe spoke to Carlton Media after the Club’s win against Brisbane in Round 11, and he was very pleased having kicked his second goal of the season. 

THEY SAID IT

“Brendon Bolton's men defended brilliantly, none more so than Sam Rowe who kept Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins to just one goal, which came approaching junk time in the final term.”

- Ben Guthrie from AFL Media praises Rowe in his online article after the Blues’ upset win over Geelong. 

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

In Round 10 against Geelong, Rowe laid a bullish tackle on Jimmy Bartel, forcing him over the boundary line right in front of an excited Carlton faithful. His relentless attack saw him claim the Blues’ ‘Tackle of the Week’.