The Blues’ young playing list was faced with a number of challenges in 2018 and as a result, finished the year with fewer wins than previous seasons.

However, the valuable experience gained by first and second-year players, coupled with the resilience built within the team, will no doubt hold the Club in good stead for years to come.

With the side now on a break, we’re analysing each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No.32, Nick Graham. 

GAMES
Season 2018: 10
Career: 48

GOALS
Season 2018: 1
Career: 11

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):
Disposals: 167 (16.70) Handballs: 79 (7.90) Clearances: 22 (2.20) Contested possessions: 57 (5.70) Tackles: 29 (2.90)

OVERVIEW
After making his 2018 debut against North Melbourne in Round 4, midfielder Nick Graham added another 10 AFL games to his career total – taking him to 48 matches.

Since being selected with pick No.54 in the 2012 national draft, Graham’s sixth season saw him average nearly 17 disposals per game and work closely alongside the Club’s young midfield group, including Paddy Dow, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Zac Fisher.

Graham also made a solid contribution to the Northern Blues, playing eight games across the course of the year. He was named in the bests for Northern six times and kicked five goals.

Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser said Graham constantly backed up his VFL performances week in week out, finding the ball in the contest and laying a lot of strong tackles.

BEST PERFORMANCE
In Round 9 at the MCG, the 24-year-old collected 28 disposals, including five inside 50s, five clearances and 15 contested possessions – the second most for Carlton behind vice-captain Patrick Cripps.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Graham was awarded the Club’s ‘Hard Hit of the Week’ against Port Adelaide in Round 15. With the ball bobbling around in Port’s forward line, the footy was fed out to the back of the contest and landed in the hands of Riley Bonner. Within a second of Bonner gathering the ball, Graham came running in from behind to lay a bone-crunching tackle much to the delight of Carlton supporters.