Carltons Will Setterfield is set to play his 50 game against Fremantle on the weekend. (Image: @CarltonFC/Twitter)
Ahead of Will Setterfield’s 50th game on Saturday against Fremantle, Carlton head coach Michael Voss has praised the wingman’s role throughout the club’s hot start to the 2022 AFL season.
Will Setterfield will play his 50th AFL game on Saturday night against Fremantle at Optus Stadium. Drafted by GWS at Pick 5 and as one of the most complete midfielders in the 2016 draft, he was traded to Carlton after the 2018 season to assist in the midfield.
In 2020, Setterfield averaged 15.3 disposals, 7.3 contested possessions, 5.3 tackles and 18.9 pressure acts per game. He had emerged as the player who would be Carlton’s next midfield beast alongside Patrick Cripps.
However, after struggling to find consistent form in 2021, the addition of Adam Cerra and George Hewett in the offseason, and the emergence of Matthew Kennedy, it was hard to see where Setterfield would fit into Carlton’s new-look midfield.
Through sacrificing his natural inside game, which he built his reputation on in juniors, under 18s and in his career-best season of 2020, Setterfield has moved onto the wing and become a weekly selection under Michael Voss.
In five games this season, the 24-year-old is averaging 19 disposals, 1.8 tackles and 1.2 clearances per game, some would question his development. However, the numbers cannot truly reflect the role he is playing for Carlton in 2022.
Questioned about Setterfield’s season so far, Carlton coach Michael Voss said the reformed wingman has played a really important role for his side and is somewhat understated.
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“There’s been a lot of focus on a lot of other guys in what they are contributing to the team,” Voss said.
“I’m forever pumping up our small forwards for the pressure they bring, and giving the accolades to our defence when they hold on and our midfielders when they get to contested work.
“The one guy that gets left out in all that is Will [Setterfield] and his role, he has been a really solid player for us.”
Setterfield will be striving to stay in form and continue performing his role for the team with Carlton’s VFL team sitting sixth on the ladder and multiple players knocking on the door for AFL selection.
Both Jack Newnes and Matt Cottrell were called up to the AFL team ahead of Round 5 last week, illustrating the depth Carlton is developing and the need for each player to continually play their role just as Setterfield has done in the first five rounds.
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