Sam Petrevski-Seton | 2020 Season Review

Written by Joseph Addamo

Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad is providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.

After a largely improved season, we are reviewing every player that pulled on the famous Navy Blue guernsey in 2020.

This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s #5 – Sam Petrevski-Seton.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

Much has been made of the ‘Halls Creek Cowboy’ since his arrival at Carlton. Sam Petrevski-Seton exploded onto the scene in his first season with the club and made a name for himself as he was thrust into the Blues’ engine room. However, playing off the half-back line in 2020 under David Teague saw a regression in the game of SPS.

Playing all but one game, ‘Samo’ averaged 13.6 disposals per game with an efficiency of 74.2% (3rd for the Blues behind ‘Simmo’ and ‘Doc’). While his one-on-one defensive game was exposed at times, his ability to read the play translated to 5.3 average intercepts across his games. In addition, in true SPS fashion, his kicking efficiency was a highlight of his game, averaging almost 7 effective kicks per game.

The Blues were screaming out for quality disposals in the forward half of the ground and in inside 50 entries. Why was one of their best ball users stationed in no-man’s-land on the half-back line if this was such a glaring issue for the majority of the season?

BEST PERFORMANCE

After coming under the microscope for an almost non-existent performance against the GWS Giants, ‘Samo’ came out firing in a big way against the Sydney Swans the following round. Trailing by 39 points in the second quarter, SPS made the wet ball look dry as the Blues came out eventual 7-point winners in one of the season’s largest comebacks.

He finished the game with 22 disposals at 78% efficiency, 18 kicks, 13 effective kicks, 8 intercept possessions and 6 marks. He continually attacked the football in the tough conditions and looked to set the Blues up coming out of their back-half, acting as their quarterback to great effect.

While Sam Walsh will likely take the plaudits for a BOG performance, SPS silenced the doubters during this one, his best performance of the season.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

Petrevski-Seton is a class player that is criminally overlooked amongst Carlton’s young crop. Playing only 80 games in his career to date and at the age of 22, it’s easy to forget how relatively inexperienced he is.

No doubt SPS will be on Carlton’s list next season and will be vying for a spot in their best 22. However, the biggest question to be posed surrounds where he is best suited in this side, especially with incoming arrivals from opposition clubs.

He was recruited out of Under 18 level as a half-forward / midfielder, and in his time under Brendon Bolton’s system, he showed what he can bring to Carlton’s engine room. You only need to look to his career game against the Western Bulldogs in Round 5, 2019, to see what peak ‘Samo’ can bring. Even in 2020, he attended one centre stoppage against the Swans and came out with the clearance, inside 50 and eventual goal to Sam Walsh to get the Blues’ comeback started.

With the pending arrival of Zac Williams along with Adam Saad, SPS should be offered the opportunity to once again play further up the ground. It would be an injustice by David Teague to not play him where he is best suited. Have a read of Ari Stamatakos’ player spotlight for Blue Abroad on ‘Samo’ for more on his defender vs. midfielder numbers: https://www.blueabroad.com.au/the-latest/sam-petrevski-seton-midfielder-or-defender?fbclid=IwAR3Jno8inPU9XQG67hLKLCNVrwDS6H04AYTiaTP_XbuyyNs8KltWtjt04bI

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

C+

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Fringe 22 Player