The Carlton Football Club embarked on the second stage of its journey under senior coach Brendon Bolton in 2017.

After registering six wins, the Blues finished the season in 16th place on the ladder.

Despite falling four points short of the 2016 season, Carlton won more quarters in 2017, demonstrating the growth of the playing group in its second year with Bolton at the helm.

With the team now on a break, we’re analysing each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 27 Dennis Armfield.

GAMES

Season 2017: 5

Career: 145

GOALS 

Season 2017: 2

Career: 75

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets)

Disposals: 55 (11.00) Kicks: 37 (7.40) Marks: 25 (5.00) Contested possessions: 12 (2.40) Tackles: 11 (2.20)

OVERVIEW

Armfield’s final season of football at the elite level was confined to just five senior appearances, and yet this long-time Carlton fan favourite could truly hold his head high.

This, after all, was a year in which he was voted into the team’s leadership group for the first time at a time when he also met the demands of duty as a part-time specialist coach with the inaugural AFLW team.

Armfield’s formative years were spent playing union at Kalamunda and Perth-Bayswater - but for as long as his name graces the No.27 locker at Carlton he’ll be remembered as a totally committed team player who wrung the cloth dry for his beloved Blues. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

Armfield went out with a 15-possession game in a largely forgettable final round match with Sydney on the SCG.

And while Lance Franklin’s 10-goal masterclass in the Swans’ 81-point demolition proved the talking point, Armfield performed admirably in the largely one-sided contest and could hold his head high in bidding Carlton and the game a heartfelt adieu.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT 

Dennis’s heartfelt decision to bring down the curtain on his playing career was not lost on anyone connected with Carlton because Armfield was the quintessential people person. In a letter to members and a personal address to fellow players, Armfield memorably articulated his thoughts.

"What a ride it’s been! Coming over from Perth to one of the biggest footy clubs in the country at the end of 2007, I could never have imagined that I’d still be here 10 years later. I was just aiming to play one game, so to have played 143 so far and receive Life Membership is something I’m certainly very proud of,” he wrote back in August.

“I have loved every minute of my time at the Carlton Football Club. Never once did I take for granted the privilege of donning the navy blue and running out in front of our incredible members and supporters. I’m not afraid to say that there have been a few tears shed over the last week or so thinking about how much I’m going to miss the roar of the Blues faithful after a big moment, but, having played for 10 seasons, I certainly have enough memories to last me a lifetime.”