AS WE reach the halfway point of the season, we take a look at some of Carlton's player performances so far. 

Here is how Jacob Weitering is tracking at the mid-season bye.

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals 194 (16.18), Tackles 21 (1.75), Rebound 50s 73 (6.03), Contested possessions 79 (6.58), One percenters 122 (10.17). 

OVERVIEW

The reigning John Nicholls Medal winner has had another impressive start to the season in 2021. 

Weitering - along with fellow defender Liam Jones - have been ever-present pillars in defence, with their intercept marking and defensive prowess continuing to shine through in a busy Blue backline.

Weitering's form has been developing nicely in the defensive half and has continued to embrace his leadership role for the second consecutive year, while also reaching his 100 game milestone in Round 7 this year. 

A strong candidate for All-Australian selection at the end of the season, Weitering has been a handful for oppositions, keeping star forwards such as Joe Daniher, Jack Darling, Ben King and Tom Lynch each to a single goal.

BEST PERFORMANCE

While there's been a fair share of stellar individual performances from the No.23 this year, Weitering received plaudits against one of the competition's best sides in 2021.

Weitering’s best performance to date came against the in-form Bulldogs, where he amassed 13 marks (seven of those intercepts), 13 contested possessions and a season-high 23 disposals. 

It was his work in the air which shone through, with the key defender earning coaches' votes for his superb defensive display.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Weitering has nearly amassed more one percenters than he did in his John Nicholls Medal-winning season (122 currently, 128 last year), while he's just one shy of a career-best tally for rebound 50s (73 currently): it's clear he's getting his job done defensively and offensively.

At only 23 years of age and putting together arguably his best season yet, one could guess that it is only going to get better for Weitering from here as he develops his body and gets more experience under his belt. 

Having already been selected in AFL.com.au's mid-season All-Australian team alongside fellow defenders such as Tom Stewart and Steven May, it could see Weitering in an All-Australian blazer following the culmination of the season.