Trading Ikon Park for 10 different hotel hubs across Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it’s been a year we won’t soon forget.

With the final siren having rung on the final game, it’s time to look at those who featured in five or more games for Carlton or made their AFL debuts in 2020.

Here’s the year that was for Carlton’s No.25, Zac Fisher.

GAMES

2020: 8
Career: 63

GOALS

2020: 6
Career: 27

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 107 (13.4) Contested possessions: 46 (5.8) Clearances: 8 (1) Inside 50s: 24 (3) Score involvements: 30 (3.8) Metres gained: 1,844 (230.6)

OVERVIEW

Zac Fisher showed Bluebaggers moments of brilliance in his fifth season in Navy Blue after an interrupted start to 2020.

After appearing in the Blues’ Round 1 outing against the Tigers, Fisher was sidelined with a syndesmosis injury having played out the remainder of the season opener.

It wouldn’t be until Carlton faced West Coast in Round 11 before the youngster returned, but it didn’t take him long to hit his stride in the remaining seven games of the season.

Fisher was a shining light in a new role in attack, contributing six goals and ranking as Carlton’s No.1 ranked forward for score involvements in his six games before a shoulder injury brought a premature end to his season.

BEST PERFORMANCE 

In returning from the injury that sidelined Fisher for the first half of the season, some easing in would have been forgiven for the No.25: however, there was nothing of the sort at Optus Stadium in Round 11.

Despite falling short to the Eagles at home, Fisher hit the ground running to finish as the Blues’ best for the day.

In his first full game as a small forward, Fisher was as impactful as he’s ever been, contributing a career-best four goals from 12 disposals while also laying five forward-half tackles. 

Bluebaggers weren’t the only ones impressed by Fisher’s return, with the 22-year-old awarded six AFLCA votes for his performance.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

While the Blues were unable to secure the finish they were after against the old enemy Collingwood in Round 14, Fisher provided a typically crafty moment in attack.

The best moment came in the second quarter, with Eddie Betts utilising Fisher’s help to full effect for the latter’s first major of the day.

Selling some candy, Fisher stepped onto his right foot - which is his wrong foot - to convert easily in front of goal at the Gabba. 

THEY SAID IT

Senior Coach David Teague expressed his belief in Zac Fisher as a small forward following his return from injury against West Coast.

“Zac’s played some midfield football for us. We put it to him that we wanted him to become a small forward,” he said.

“His tackling pressure and he hit the scoreboard, [small forwards] won’t do that every week but when you get the opportunity you have to make the most of it.

“If he keeps bringing that effort every week and pressure every week, I think he’s going to be a very good small forward for us and who knows, down the track he might go back into the midfield.”