The Carlton Football Club began the first leg of its journey under senior coach Brendon Bolton in 2016.

After notching up seven wins for the season – three more than last year – the Blues ended up finishing 14th on the ladder.

With the team now on a break, we’re taking a look back at each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 32, Nick Graham:

GAMES

Season 2016: 12

Career: 28

GOALS

Season 2016: 2

Career: 7

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)

Disposals: 220 (18.33) Kicks: 118 (9.83) Marks 56 (4.67) Contested Possessions: 73 (6.08) Uncontested Possessions: 150 (12.50) Tackles: 59 (4.92) Clearances: 21 (1.75)

OVERVIEW

Young midfielder Nick Graham laced up his boots for the fourth consecutive season at Ikon Park in 2016.

His determination during pre-season to add a layer of brutality to his playing style, earned the 22-year-old a career-high 12 senior appearances this year.

With the interchange cap being reduced from 120 rotations to just 90 per game, Graham spent more time pushing up into the forward line. In the Round 22 win over Melbourne, he was awarded Carlton’s ‘Goal of the Week’ for a quick-thinking dribbler he kicked with the outside of his boot.

Graham was also a heavy contributor in the VFL for the Northern Blues. In Northern’s Round 5 clash against Casey the young Blue led the Club in tackles (14), clearances (10) and contested possessions (21). 

HE SAID IT

“I went away and researched the top-10 pressure-act players in the competition to see how they go about it. It’s something that’s been on the forefront of my mind all pre-season,” Graham said. 

“I need to be brutal when I’m resting up forward. Hopefully I can lay some big tackles and help lock the ball inside our forward half. The longer we lock the ball in there, the higher chance we have of scoring.”

– Nick Graham speaks to Radio Sport National about his pre-season ambitions early this year.

THEY SAID IT

“Nick Graham was terrific – I thought the way he applied himself to the structure and the gameplay was fantastic. I think it’s no secret he was our best player.”

– Northern Blues senior coach Josh Fraser highlighted the performance of Graham in the team’s Round 5 clash against Casey.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

Graham was a significant force in Carlton’s Round 22 victory over Melbourne at the MCG. Notching up an impressive 19 disposals, 14 kicks and seven tackles, Graham was the Blues’ second highest goal kicker, booting two of Carlton’s 11 goals.