Carlton midfielder George Hewett backs new fitness regimen after Sam Walsh injury setback

Losing a star to injury has become commonplace for Carlton in recent years. But, one of the club’s midfield brigade is confident Sam Walsh’s setback is not the start of another spate of problems.

Sam Walsh will miss a month of pre-season with a hamstring injury.

Carlton midfielder George Hewett has backed the club’s new fitness regimen after another pre-season setback to star teammate Sam Walsh.

The gun midfielder will miss about four weeks of training with a hamstring strain he suffered on Monday, with the injury the latest setback for the Blue.

Former fitness boss Andrew Russell stood down in August after an extensive injury list cruelled the club’s 2024 campaign.

Walsh has battled several issues with his body in recent years and has not played more than 20 matches in a season since 2021.

Former Sydney fitness boss Rob Inness was brought in to replace Russell at the end of 2024.

Hewett said soft-tissue injuries were largely unavoidable and Walsh had returned to the club in peak condition.

George Hewett has backed Carlton’s medical team to fix the club’s issues. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I think the medical team has been pretty good with him and the rest of us,” he said.

“I think Walshy knows his body pretty well now, he managed himself really well in the off-season and came back really fit. Sometimes you just do soft-tissue injuries.

“I think he’d be a bit down, but it’s probably why he’s one of the best players but he’s very good at looking ahead at what’s next.

“I’m sure he’s disappointed from what happened, but four weeks goes pretty fast.”

Walsh has missed chunks of pre-season training in each of the past four summers, with syndesmosis issues in 2022 followed by back surgery in 2023 and back soreness last year.

Hewett said top draftee Jagga Smith and twins Ben and Lucas Camporeale would benefit from extra midfield exposure during Walsh’s pre-season absence.

“They’ll get a look I’d say, it’ll be a bit different,” he said.

“It’s probably a bit early to tell (for specific roles) … but the boys are competing hard.”

Charlie Curnow continues to build into pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein

It was positive signs for star Charlie Curnow during a rain-affected session on Wednesday, with the dual Coleman Medalist completing drills off to the side of the main group.

After an ankle injury and a minor knee clean out, Curnow has only just strapped on his boots and begun training again, with the club expecting the forward to rejoin his teammates in the coming weeks.

Irish recruit Rob Monahan and forward Matt Cottrell both spent time running with Curnow during the early stages of Wednesday’s session.

Cottrell is one of several senior players easing back into training to start 2025, with utility Jack Silvagni still working back from his ACL injury suffered last summer.

After a major match simulation hit out on Monday, the club kept the session relatively light, honing skills and working on full-ground drills.

Originally published as Carlton midfielder George Hewett backs new fitness regimen after Sam Walsh injury setback