Matt Cottrell | 2021 Season Review

Written by Ari Stamatakos

SEASON SYNOPSIS

Cottrell was an unknown quantity heading into season 2020, and after showing off some brilliant celebrations and kicking a match-winning goal against the Swans, he was well and truly a household name for the Carlton Football Club. Many fans were looking forward to seeing what Cottrell can produce in season 2021. The gut-running intensity that he gives the team is valuable and if he could get his disposal right, then he would be a very handy commodity. He made his season debut in round 3 against the Dockers and performed well, before backing it up the next week against the Suns. He was consistent over the next month before the wheels fell off. A poor performance against the Swans, coupled with a dismal display against the West Coast Eagles, and he was dropped.

He returned 4 rounds later against the Dockers as the Medi-Sub, before the week after not getting on the park. He played against the Pies and had 18 touches before a 10-touch game against North saw him dropped and he didn’t return for the rest of the season. He only averaged one metric at an above-average level for midfielders and most of his stats ranked below-average. 

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

Who knows what the new coach has in store for Matt Cottrell? Is it a position change, or major work in his disposals? Because at his current rate he shouldn’t be getting into any Carlton side. He simply isn’t good enough to perform at an AFL - at the rate, he is going. He has all the tools, the tank and the enthusiasm, but he needs major work in his skills for him to consistently crack into the 22. I have faith that he can improve because you can tell that he works hard for the team and does love the club, but the skills aren’t there at the moment and that is the biggest issue. We all want Cottrell to get it right because he seems like a good person to have around the club, so fingers crossed that he can get his mind into gear and start performing at an AFL level on a consistent basis. 

2021 REPORT CARD RATING

D

STATUS HEADING INTO 2022 

Fringe 22