Carlton tasted finals success in Season 2013, with a thrilling win over Richmond at the MCG.
But the Blues season came to an end, against Sydney in the Semi-Finals at ANZ Stadium.
With the team now on a break, we’re taking a look back at each player’s year in statistics, next is Carlton’s No. 10, Matthew Watson
Matthew Watson (#10)
GAMES
Season 2013: 5
Career: 16
VFL 2013: 12
GOALS
Season 2013: 2
Career: 2
VFL 2013: 1
KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):
Disposals: 55 (11) Marks: 20 (4) Tackles: 5 (1) Rebound 50s: 16 (3.2) Contested Marks: 5(1.0)
OVERVIEW
It took until Round 16 for Matthew Watson to break into Carlton’s senior side this year, but once he did, he took no time to settle into the Blues’ back six. The big kicking 21-year old looked calm and composed in defence, taking plenty of solid marks.
Sadly for Watson, just as he was stringing some games together, he suffered a season-ending fracture in his left foot in the Round 20 loss to the Bulldogs.
Despite playing just the five games in 2013, Carlton showed its faith in Watson by signing him to a new two-year deal, which will keep the promising defender at Visy Park until the end of 2015.
IN THE NEWS
Watson taking his opportunities
Watson takes opportunity
HE SAID IT
"At the moment I'm playing my best footy in defence. We've got a good group down there … and if we have all the backmen playing well and 'Hendo' in great form kicking a few goals, that gives us a strong target down forward.
"So I've just got to keep playing well (next year), so we can keep Hendo up in the forward line and keep getting wins.” – Matthew Watson after re-signing with Carlton, Monday 12 August
THEY SAID IT
“Watson was due to come out of contract at the end of this season, but Carlton re-signed him for the next two years following his promising form over the past five rounds.
“At 195cm and 100kg, Watson shapes as one of the key planks of Carlton's 'spine' over the next decade.” – AFL Media’s Nick Bowen on Matthew Watson in his piece “Watson signs new deal with Blues”
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Watson showed no trouble lifting to AFL standard, with a rock solid performance (16 disposals and six marks) in his first senior game of the year against St Kilda.
He backed it up the following week against North Melbourne, and was nominated for one of Carlton’s “Plays of the Day”, after his long bomb from the backline travelled some 80-metres before Ed Curnow finished it off with a goal.
