Lochie O’Brien | 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 #4 – Lochie O’Brien.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

A dynamic half-back / winger with a pinpoint left foot, former number 10 draft pick Lochie O’Brien did not see regular AFL football in the 2020 season.

Playing only one game, in a disappointing loss to the Adelaide Crows in Round 17, O’Brien was not able to showcase his skill set as a running half back that hits targets. He managed a late goal in the final quarter of that game to go with just 7 disposals in total. His 2 rebound 50s showed a glimpse of what he could deliver if given regular football, and his 70%+ disposal efficiency in that game is 3% higher than that of Carlton’s average across the season.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

Much like his fellow top 10 2017 AFL draftee Paddy Dow, O’Brien is likely to remain on Carlton’s list for 2021, yet would come as no surprise to see him offered as trade bait this off-season. Considering the retirement of Kade Simpson, there is a spot open on the half-back line for a suitable replacement, and O’Brien fits the bill.

The likes of Zac Williams (GWS) and Adam Saad (Essendon) have been mentioned in free agency and trade talks, with the former all but needing to sign on the dotted line with the Blues. Williams has been reportedly offered midfield time, while the potential acquisition of Saad would be to purely fill the half-back vacancy.

If the Saad deal or another of similar ilk were to come to fruition, O’Brien may find it difficult to again break into the Senior side. Couple this with the return of Caleb Marchbank and Nic Newman in 2021, and prospects for O’Brien at the Blues suddenly seem quite dim. Would it actually be mutually beneficial for both Carlton and ‘LOB’ to part ways if a trade deal can be mustered this off-season? Time will tell.

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

NA

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Traded / Free Agency, or Last Chance