Matthew WATSON

2015 Digest:   The positive signs he showed as a forward saved his career when it seemed he was under the hammer. Carlton expects to continue with the placement in attack for the time being.

2015 NAB Cup:   Still a question mark over whether he can make it as a forward. Big kick in Geelong game for nine-pointer and didn’t do much else.

2015 Season

Played for : Carlton

1		–
2		–
3	VFL	Just one goal in attack but competed strongly.	–
4	VFL	Kicked three goals in difficult conditions for forwards.	–
5	VFL	Provided a strong marking target in attack. One goal.	–
6	VFL	Provided a target in attack with three goals then went back.	–
7	GWS	Subbed out after having no impact in attack.	1
8	VFL	Had no impact in attack but had little space to move.	–
9	VFL	Kicked 2.2 and was the main avenue to goal in attack.	–
10	VFL	Booted two goals and gave a strong target at times.	–
11	VFL	Bye.	–
12	VFL	Matchwinner in attack with six goals. Had multiple opponents.	–
13	VFL	10 marks and three goals against undersized Frankston backs.	–
14	VFL	Started forward but ended in defence to try to plug gaping holes.	–
15	VFL	Competed hard in front half but wet weather didn’t help.	–
16	VFL	Worked up from attack and spent time in ruck. Struggled.	–
17	VFL	Bye.	–
18	VFL	Goalless in attack in 20-goal loss.	–
19	VFL	Kicked two goals but didn't get great supply.	–
20	VFL	Well held in Blues’ front half. Nine touches.	–
21	Melb	Used up forward and provided a contest. Worked up the ground as well.	5
22	GWS	Booted the first goal but from there was a spectator.	3
23	Haw	Did some things that suggest all might not be lost. Two goals.	5

2014 Season

Played for : Carlton

1	Port	Matched on Butcher initially. Strong but had a pretty ordinary night.	3
2		Ankle.
3	VFL	Much better than his previous outing. Good confidence builder.	–
4	VFL	Toiled away on a good player in Haretuku who kicked three.	–
5	VFL	Took Cordy and did the job well. Rarely afforded him any room.	–
6	VFL	Under siege down back and couldn’t stop the flow.	–
7	VFL	Injured a finger in the first half and left the field.	–
8		Senior emergency.
9	VFL	Bye.	–
10	VFL	Defended fairly well then was swung forward. 21 touches.	–
11	VFL	Bye.	–
12	VFL	Beaten early, but slowly got the better of Rhys Stanley.	–
13	Haw	Disastrous first quarter then recovered slightly but subbed out late in third term.	3
14	VFL	The best of the Blues’ defenders. Marked strongly.	–
15	VFL	Fairly sturdy down back in poor conditions for marking talls.	–
16	VFL	Caught the eye in attack with his strong marking. Three goals.	–
17	VFL	Looked good again playing solely as a forward. Kicked 3.4.	–
18	VFL	Starved for opportunities in attack after a few good weeks.	–
19	VFL	Well-held in attack but delivery was ordinary.	–
20	VFL	Used at both ends and always made a contest in the air.	–
21	VFL	Battled hard in attack against a few opponents. Three goals.	–
22	VFL	Booted three goals from limited opportunities in attack.	–
23	Ess	A real surprise packet in effective forward role: 16 possessions and four goals.	7
QF		–
SF		–
PF		–
GF		–

2013 Season

Played for : Carlton

1	PM	Led to the ball too often. Used the ball well though.	–
2	VFL	Started well but had his hands full at times with Clouston.	–
3	VFL	Controlled the back half. Especially strong in the air.	–
4	VFL	Had his hands full at times down back but bounced back well.	–
5	VFL	Had his hands full on Port talls but never gave in.	–
6	VFL	Sturdy game down back. Used the ball well, spoilt strongly.	–
7	VFL	Bye.	–
8	VFL	Controlled the back half and his kicking was penetrating.	–
9	VFL	Bye.	2
10	VFL	Defended fairly well again but had his hands full at times.	–
11	VFL	Defended well one on one and ball use was solid.	–
12	VFL	Haretuku kicked six on him but he battled hard.	–
13	VFL	Did a fairly good job down back on Cordy/Campbell. Kicking was good as well.	–
14	VFL	Taken to the cleaners by Hogan early, but when moved, settled down.	–
15	VFL	Bounced back from last weeks poor showing to clean up Gumbleton.	–
16	StK	Late inclusion for first game of the year. On Lee and had mixed day.	4
17	NM	Booming torp set up a first-term goal. Sometimes troubled by height.	5
18	GCS	A long range goal in the third quarter to cap off his day.	4
19	Frem	Used mostly forward and lead up well at the ball. Lovely long goal in third term.	6
20	WB	Took Campbell in defence but was subbed out after injuring his foot before half time.	2
21		Foot.
22		Foot.
23		Foot.
QF		Foot.
EF		Foot.
SF
PF
GF

2012 Season

Played for : Carlton

1	VFL	Nice effort. Used the ball well and defended sternly.	–
3	VFL	Played on Boland for the most part and was beaten.	–
4	VFL	Didn’t have a great deal to do down back.	–
5	VFL	Struggled down back and was shifted forward. Poor day.	–
7	VFL	Competed fairly well throughout under a bit of pressure.	–
8	VFL	Good duel with Tarrant. Not the worst.	–
10	Port	Did enough to hold his spot down back in his first game of the year.	5
11	Geel	Taylor got him a couple of times in second half but he showed enough.	5
12	WCE	Looked poised and calm on last line. Blues have found a 200-game defender.	6
14	Haw	At first he had match-up with Roughead but it didn’t last.	3
15	Coll	Kept Dawes covered and did well. A player of the future.	7
16	NM	Had to do some ruck work as back-up to Kreuzer.	3
17	WB	Cool head under pressure on back-line on occasions. Thumping kicking.	5
18	VFL	Strong commanding effort in Blues back half.	–
19	VFL	His best game this year in defence. Improving each week.	–
20	Bris	Had Lisle who caused his a few problems at times.	4
21	VFL	Forced from the ground early with a hand injury.	–