“HE’S a really focused and driven young player… I was really impressed with Paddy’s performance on the weekend.”

Paddy Dow featured in his first VFL game on the weekend at Marvel Stadium, and was arguably the Northern Blues’ brightest spark.

Making way from the AFL team for the returning Zac Fisher, Dow - who featured extensively in the midfield - collected 20 disposals and four clearances in the defeat to Collingwood.

It was a promising response for the 19-year-old, providing energy across four quarters in what was an otherwise disappointing VFL performance.

On a number of occasions on the weekend, Dow emerged from the contested situation with the ball at his disposal, breaking away and finding a teammate by hand.

Speaking to Carlton Coaches’ Corner, VFL senior coach Josh Fraser said the Club viewed Dow’s game in the VFL as a chance to add to his midfield game.

“I thought his clearance work was really strong,” Fraser said.

“We had a plan going into the game that he’d split his time between half forward and midfield… we saw it as a good chance to get some confidence around the ball and play to his strengths.

“We encourage all of our young players to play to their strengths. He was able to win the ball in close and use some of his power out of congestion and stoppage.”

Having played 37 games of his first 40 available games, Dow’s natural talent and explosive power has shone through in particular moments at AFL level.

However, as Fraser said, his entrance to the AFL landscape has been quite the different journey to his 19-year-old counterparts across the competition.

“He has probably shared a similar pathway to a lot of our young players, where they’ve gone and played a lot of AFL football straight away,” he said.

“That’s not a typical pathway for young players at most AFL clubs. For Paddy to get some exposure at VFL level and find some form is really important.

“It’s an opportunity to work on different parts of his game which will hopefully hold him in good stead when he returns to AFL football.”

With a mature head on his shoulders, Fraser said the youngster had taken to his first game at VFL level with the right mindset and application.

“He’s really aware of his own game: it was quite enjoyable to sit down and review his performance with him from the weekend,” he said.

“He’s got really good awareness of what he did and what he needs to work on.

“The most pleasing thing and exciting thing for most Carlton supporters is he’s a young player with an appetite to get better.

“Continual development is a focus for Paddy.”