Hidden Gems of the Year
Written by Zac Assouni
Carlton fans, it's that time of year again. We look back at the year that was and we look forward to the possibilities of the 2022 AFL season which seems so far away. Throughout the late part of the 2021 AFL season, I've been looking at ever game to find three players who flew under the radar and had an underrated game. It's sometimes been difficult to find three players due to a few disappointing losses but it's time to find out who the top three hidden gems of the year were.
Nic Newman
A complicated first few weeks of the season for Nic Newman due to injury saw him make his first appearance of the 2021 AFL season in Round 9 against the Dees at the mighty MCG, the side that he suffered his serious knee injury against in Round 2 2020 which was Carltons first game back after the AFLs covid break. Since then, it's safe to say that he’s been a consistent performer across Carlton’s half back line. In his 14 games this year Newman has averaged an above average 19.6 disposals this year along with 6.6 intercept possessions, 1.6 intercept marks, 80.7% disposal efficiency and 3.9 tackles as well. It’s been fantastic to see the way that Nic Newman has come back into the team and really keep his spot on a consistent basis every single week since his injury. Looking back on season 2021 with the defensive side of the game being at the forefront for the blues it’s been interesting to see individual efforts from guys like Nic Newman who are just trying to play their part. Looking onto season 2022 however, we should see a better team defense under a new coach which can help players like Nic Newman to turn individual pressure acts into better sustained team pressure. Hopefully we get to see an all-round better Carlton defense where we can certainly rely on Nic Newman’s consistency going into the new season.
Liam Stocker
After an extremely complicated season 2020 for Liam Stocker, we finally got to see what our former pick 19 in the 2018 draft could do. Most Carlton fans viewed Liam Stocker as a midfielder which is ultimately what the blues picked him up as in the 2018 draft along with the number one pick that year, Sam Walsh. It was clear to see that the blues were targeting gun young midfielders to help out guys such as Patrick Cripps in and around the stoppages. However, for more than most of the 2021 we saw Liam stocker play on the half back line in the hope to add and improve his defensive game. While the first few weeks of Liam Stocker at half back was certainly a struggle, however as time passed, we saw him starting to feel more comfortable and coupled with more time in the midfield we saw a profound confidence in the way that Liam Stocker was playing his football. In his 17 games this year he averaged 14 disposals as well as 70% disposal efficiency, 2.2 tackles and 3.4 marks a game. His defensive side of the game has improved too with an average of 9.4 pressure acts a game. While those stats aren't necessary the greatest it's important that after such a complicated season 2020 that we are seeing a happier and healthier Liam Stocker going into season 2022.
Matt Kennedy
Midfield depth has been one of the biggest taking points of the season for the blues and the fact that we can’t always rely on guys like Cripps and Walsh to deliver every single game. Enter Matthew Kennedy. After a season 2020 where we just didn’t know what was going on with Kennedy we definitely saw a bounce back year in season 2021. In Kennedy’s 13 games this season he averaged a little over 18 disposals a game along with a little under a goal a game , 4.2 tackles , 58% kicking efficiency and 3.3 clearances. One of the things that really stands out with Matthew Kennedy is that he performs well even when the team in general does not perform well. His best game of the season came in Round 22 during a 95 point loss away to Port Adelaide which was a game that I’m sure blues fans would want to forget. With the breakthrough of Kennedy into the first team it’s certainly opened the blues up to having more role players in the team. In comparison to some of Melbourne’s role players like Harmes , Viney , Neal – bullen etc. it’s been interesting to see that we don’t necessarily need a team of champions to win games of football , we have a few great players and role players to surround them and really do the best for the team moving forward.
