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.31, Tom Williamson.

GAMES

2020: 15
Career: 32

GOALS

2020: 1
Career: 2

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 158 (10.5) Uncontested possessions: 103 (6.9) Metres gained: 2735 (182.3) Tackles: 28 (1.9) Rebound 50s: 28 (1.9) Intercept possessions: 47 (3.1) Disposal efficiency: 71.5 per cent

OVERVIEW

2020 was the year Tom Williamson has been after since his debut season.

With back injuries plaguing his last two years, Williamson was given his chance after an injury to Nic Newman and didn’t look back.

Not missing a game after returning in Round 3, it was pure reward for effort for Williamson who played just two games in two years after 15 matches in 2017.

Showing signs of his natural talent and aggression across half back, Williamson was rewarded with a two-year contract extension after pledging his future to the Club where he made his start. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

While the majority of Williamson’s season was spent across half back, his best showing came on a wing in the final game of the season.

And it was against a fair opponent too, coming up against the Brisbane Lions against the Gabba.

A valuable outlet between the arcs, Williamson doubled his clearance tally for the season (five), had two goal assists, registered his first goal in three years and had career-high totals in inside 50s, rebound 50s and score involvements.

Having an impact in the both phases of the game, it was a nice feather in the cap for Williamson to cap off an important year for the 21-year-old.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

It’s not often that you can lay claim to pinging a dual Brownlow Medallist once in a game, let alone twice in one quarter.

But that’s exactly what Williamson did in the stunning win against Fremantle.

A red-hot Nat Fyfe was giving Carlton all sorts of headaches in Round 12, before Williamson caught the marauding champion with a crunching tackle in defensive 50.

He would back it up just five minutes later, bringing Fyfe to ground and winning another free kick at centre half forward.

THEY SAID IT

After two onerous seasons, Williamson could’ve been excused if he entered the year doubting himself: rather, he entered it full of belief.

The proof was in the pudding come season’s end.

“I’m as happy and as confident as I’ve been in my life about this year,” Williamson said.

“I’ve probably sold myself short to some degree, but I feel like I’m going into my first year again. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with.

“I’ve probably never been as confident in my body as I am now… I knew coming in that I needed to have a big year.”