AFL pre-season news: Sam Walsh out indefinitely after back surgery

Carlton is facing the possibility of half a season without star Sam Walsh after the midfielder was forced to undergo back surgery.

Carlton has suffered a significant blow to its 2023 campaign with star midfielder Sam Walsh ruled out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery on Thursday.

Walsh is certain to miss a large chunk of the early part of the season — and possibly longer — with the Blues unable to put a timeframe on a potential return, given the nature of the injury.

It’s a big setback to Carlton’s quest for its first finals appearance in a decade after they came so agonisingly close this year.

Walsh missed the club’s Round 23 clash to Collingwood with a back issue and he has been sidelined with the problem for the bulk of the preseason.

Sam Walsh will miss a chunk of the 2023 season. Picture: Getty Images

After months of trying to find ways to overcome the problems, the Blues decided this week the best course of action was to have a microdiscectomy procedure in his back to allow for a complete recovery for the 22-year-old.

The operation involved the removal of a bulging disc portion to relieve pressure on a nerve.

Former Hawk Jack Gunston had surgery to fix a bulging disc in his back in December 2020 and ended up missing all but one game the following season.

Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd said the club would not have a timeline on a potential Walsh return until at least Round 4 next season.

“Due to the long-term nature of this rehabilitation, it isn’t possible to confirm a set date for his return right now. Once the opening month of the season has been completed though, we expect to be able to provide more clarity on his expected return to play,” Lloyd said.

He said the club had exhausted all options available before making the decision for surgery.

“Throughout the last few months our number one priority has been for Sam’s wellbeing in managing this issue, which is why we explored every possible conservative treatment option,” Lloyd said.

“Following this extensive process, it was clear that given all alternative treatments had not progressed his recovery, surgery was the required option to correct the issue.

“Sam is now recovering after undergoing surgery last night and will commence his rehabilitation in the New Year.

He said the club would not rush Walsh and would give him the time required to return at full capacity, to ensure his long-term welfare.

“While Sam’s professionalism and resilience is well-known, we will absolutely give Sam all the time he needs to make a full recovery before he returns to the side during the season,” Lloyd said.

BIG SETBACK FOR 2022 DRAFT BOLTER

Greater Western Sydney draftee Max Gruzewski is set to undergo surgery and faces a delayed start to his first AFL season after dislocating his knee during pre-season training.

The 193cm swingman was sidelined for several months of his draft year with an injury to the same knee before returning and bolting up draft boards with an eye-catching display in the final national championships game for Vic Metro.

The setback is a blow for the Giants, who called out Gruzewski’s name with the valuable first selection on night two of the AFL Draft (pick 22).

Gruzewski dislocated his knee at pre-season training and will have surgery. Photo by Phil Hillyard

The Oakleigh Chargers export was tipped to be developed as a forward under new coach Adam Kingsley where his strong contested marking would come to the fore, with Giants recruiting manager Adrian Caruso excited by the high flyer’s upside.

“We see some real scope for him given the limited exposure to high level football, having only really come on to the radar this year,” he told the club website.

Gruzewski had been lauded for an act of sportsmanship during the national combine in September, helping his former Vic Metro teammate and Essendon defender Lewis Hayes to the finish line after he collapsed during the 2km time trial.

He was given the No. 35 guernsey by the club earlier this month.

THE TWO CLUBS THAT CAME KNOCKING ON TOP DOG’S DOOR

Mark Robinson

Luke Beveridge rejected an inquiry from a rival club before extending his partnership with the Western Bulldogs until the end of the 2025 season.

The new coaching deal will be announced on Friday by the Bulldogs.

Beveridge, 52, had a year to run on his existing contract and the new contract will run parallel with the club’s three-year strategy plan which will be announced in the new year.

Luke Beveridge talking to his players at three-quarter-time of last season’s elimination final. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

If he remains as coach through that time, Beveridge will become the Bulldogs’ longest-serving coach, overtaking the legendary E.J. Whitten, who coached 228 games.

Beveridge has coached 183 games.

Beveridge wouldn’t reveal which rival club asked about his availability, but it’s understood it was either Essendon or the Giants who were in the market for a new coach.

“Yeah (I was approached), but it was just a swat away really,’’ Beveridge told the Herald Sun. “I just let people know I’m invested here and I wouldn’t entertain anything.

“Definitely our playing group, our members and supporters, should know I’m invested here.’’

The Bulldogs coach has re-signed until the end of 2025. Picture: Michael Klein

Beveridge described the probability of him surpassing Whitten as a “pretty big achievement’’.

“EJ, Charlie Sutton, Chris Grant, John Schulz, so many great names, but particularly EJ, he is a football God really,’’ he said.

“It’s not because I’m comparing myself to EJ, but in the game today at our level, to have longevity isn’t seamless, and we’ve been through different versions of ourselves along the last eight years.

“You come out of some troughs where people think you might not, so you have continue to re-invent and re-emerge so when I reflect I’m proud of our people who have worked together, the eight players who started with me.

“And to think it’s going to continue on, for me, it’s a big pretty big achievement.’’

He said there are always different opinions in the public domain, but there’s been nothing other than support internally.

“Internally, it’s always been one of support and confidence in me and what I do on different levels,’’ he said.

Originally published as AFL pre-season news: Sam Walsh out indefinitely after back surgery