Lachie Plowman | 2020 Season Review

Written by Joseph Addamo



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

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

This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s #20 – Lachie Plowman.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

After taking out top 3 honours on Best & Fairest night in 2019, Blues fans were expecting Lachie Plowman to take another leap in his development in 2020 and establish himself as a back six mainstay. He didn’t disappoint, as he predominantly played as a lockdown defender on some of the competition’s toughest small forwards every week.

Among defenders across the AFL, Plowman was ranked elite for one percenters (3.8 per game) and contested defensive one on one contests (3.8, losing just 1.5 on average per game). He was also ranked above average for spoils (3.1), intercept marks (1.3) and intercept possessions (4.6).

Across his career to date, Plowman has been able to manage his body and string together consistent blocks of games. At just 26 years of age, there’s still plenty more scope for improvement in his game yet.

BEST PERFORMANCE

While his shut down roles on Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Nat Fyfe were impressive in their own right, Plowman put together his most complete game of the season against North Melbourne in Round 8.

He kept Kangaroo small-forward Cam Zurhaar to just 8 disposals for the day as well as goalless, while also impacting on the rebound out of defence. He finished with 18 disposals, 7 marks (2 intercepted), 9 intercept possessions, 5 rebound 50s and 5 spoils. He also competed in a game-high 5 contested defensive one on one contests for the day, losing just one to his direct opponent.

Plowman plays his best football when given the task to nullify his opponent. He not only gets the job done, but has proved he can find ways to use the football and hurt the opposition in transition.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

‘Plow’ recommitted to the Carlton Football Club earlier this year, signing a three-year contract extension to remain at the club until at least the end of 2023.

He played his 100th game in a big victory against the Western Bulldogs in Round 6 this season. CFC Media produced a Spotlight in the lead up to the milestone, showing Carlton fans the admiration and respect Plowman has earned from his teammates and coaches alike:

We give him the toughest job every week… it’s pretty unusual to see him get beaten… he’s the type of guy that loves being around the footy club and you can see that in everything he does. The next 100 games are going to be really exciting for him and the footy club. – Dale Amos, Carlton Assistant Coach (Defence)

Plowman’s continued progression in this role is paramount to Carlton’s chances of breaking their Finals drought in 2021.

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

B

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Consistent Senior Player