Matthew Cottrell | 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 #46 – Matthew Cottrell.

SEASON SYNOPSIS

Boyhood Bluebagger Matthew Cottrell fulfilled every dream of his in his debut 2020 season for Carlton. The surprise packet of the year, ‘Cotters’ played 5 games across the season and proved (on one occasion, in particular) that he can have an impact at AFL level.

A kicking machine, Cottrell had just 9 handballs in total for the season, with his 4.9 kick-to-handball ratio ranking him elite in the competition among midfielders in the category. While not a prolific ballwinner (an average of 10.6 disposals for game), his above average 48.1% contested possession rate highlights the grit and determination of his game.

Drawing comparisons to Mitch Robinson in the Navy Blue, Cottrell could not have asked for a better debut season. His passion for the jumper, infectious energy and unique goal celebrations resonated with the Carlton faithful immediately in 2020.

BEST PERFORMANCE

His 14 disposals for 14 kicks against Fremantle in just his second game were impressive, also producing his first AFL goal in the match with a celebration to remember. That celebration can only be matched by one game and one moment – when he channeled ‘The Greek Freak’ in the dying moments against the Sydney Swans in Round 16.

A non-entity for much of the game, Cottrell featured in the monumental comeback victory with just 9 disposals to go with 2 marks, 1 inside 50, 3 clearances and 2 one percenters. However, stats don’t always matter, and this was one of those times.

After the Blues clawed their way back from 39 points down halfway through the second quarter, the scores were deadlocked with 2 minutes remaining in the game. Levi Casboult sent a long ball inside 50 and Cottrell, the unlikely hero, came from the clouds to take an almighty mark 35m from goal. With ice in his veins and a crazy look in his eyes, ‘Cotters’ sent Blues fans and commentators into a frenzy, as the fairytale comeback was complete.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

While the COVID-interrupted 2020 season afforded players like Cottrell the opportunity to prove their worth at senior AFL level, 2021 looms as a much tougher task for him to break into a deeper Carlton outfit.

The additions of Adam Saad and Zac Williams along with the highly-anticipated debut of Brodie Kemp and return of Charlie Curnow means that it is most likely a year of development in the Reserves for Cottrell. Regardless of this, the Blues showed their faith in ‘Cotters’ work ethic and enthusiasm by signing him to a further one-year contract extension.

Matt has worked tirelessly to make the most of his opportunity… He is an energetic character and brings great enthusiasm to the playing group, as well as a high work rate and eagerness to improve on a daily basis.

- Nick Austin, Carlton Head of List Management.

2020 REPORT CARD RATING

C

STATUS HEADING INTO 2021

Sporadic Senior Player