A STIRRING second half of the season will have Carlton full of confidence with 2019 coming to a close.

Familiar faces fired in Navy Blue while the Club’s emerging youngsters owned the future in a campaign which saw the Blues record seven wins for the year.

With the home-and-away season now over, we’re going through every player who featured for Carlton at senior level in 2019.

Here’s the year that was for Carlton’s No. 31, Tom Williamson.

GAMES

2019: 2

Career: 17

GOALS

2019: 0

Career: 1

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 23 (11.5) Marks: 6 (3) Tackles: 3 (1.5) Pressure acts: 31 (15.5) Spoils: 6 (3) Rebound 50s: 3 (1.5)

OVERVIEW

Tom Williamson looked to put an injury-riddled 12 months behind him, and string together consistent time on the field in 2019.

The signs looked promising early in the season, with the young defender able to make a strong return for the Northern Blues before earning the call-up to the senior side for the first time in 600 days for the Round 7 clash against the Kangaroos.

Williamson’s season, however, would once again be unfortunately cut short after suffering another back injury late in Round 8.

Unwilling to risk further long-term injury to the 20-year-old, the Blues made the decision to place Williamson in an extensive rehabilitation program to ensure that the talented defender would be ready to go for the 2020 season. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

Despite limited opportunities, Williamson showcased exactly what saw him marked as one of the most exciting young defenders in Carlton’s arsenal.

Playing against Collingwood in front of a full house at the MCG, Williamson finished with 13 disposals, four marks, two tackles and 17 pressure acts in a tough contest against the old enemy.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

After 600 long, frustrating days sitting on the sidelines, Williamson’s hard work and positive attitude was rewarded with senior selection.

Having missed the entire 2018 season through injury, Williamson earned the opportunity to play against North Melbourne in Round 7. It was a long road for Williamson, who was one of Carlton’s brightest young talents in his debut year of 2017.

While the day didn’t go the Blues’ way, the time out on the big stage would have been a moment to savour for Williamson, and one that will surely inspire belief as he prepares himself for the upcoming season.