Sam Walsh sends scare through Carlton pre-season camp after heavy collision with Tom De Koning
Rising star Sam Walsh was in obvious pain before hobbling off after colliding with a teammate during Carlton’s training camp on the Sunshine Coast.
Carlton
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Carlton is breathing a sigh of relief after young gun San Walsh emerged almost unscathed from a heavy collision with teammate Tom De Koning at the club’s Sunshine Coast training camp on Wednesday morning.
Last year’s Rising Star winner landed awkwardly after making contact with the young Blues ruckman and spent several minutes in obvious pain on the ground.
He was given a rousing round of applause when he hobbled off from the Blues’ faithful who had come out to see the session at the Maroochydore Sports Complex.
The 19-year-old – who has been one of the Blues’ standout performers during his second pre-season at the club – later emerged with his head bandaged and nursing a corked lower leg.
But Blues officials were relieved the knock was nowhere near as bad as it initially looked. They are hopeful he will back training again in the coming days.
De Koning appeared a little sore after the incident, but completed the rest of the session with discomfort.
It was the only incident from a solid training session in which Sam Docherty appeared to ramp up his training ahead of his likely return in the pre-season.
Docherty’s leadership on and off the field this pre-season has been a huge boost to the Blues’ 2020 preparations.
A handful of players, including Paddy Dow, David Cuningham, Matthew Kreuzer, Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern and Sam Petrevski-Seton did light work, but the Blues are confident most are on track to play in part of the pre-season or in the Round 1 clash against Richmond.
Dow said he had been pleased to have a full pre-season this time around, saying he hopes it will translate into more consistent on-field performances in 2020.
“I didn’t train (on Wednesday) because I had a little tight calf, but because I have done so much of the pre-season ‘Jack’(Andrew Russell) our high performance (boss) said to rest it and get ready for (next week),” Dow said.
“Each day I try to learn off someone. The first two years, everything is new, but this year I feel I am a lot more confident going around and getting vision with all the coaches.
“Also (I’ve been) grabbing onto people like Jack Martin and Eddie Betts and learning the forward craft because I am not always going to play midfield. (I’m) learning both of those roles … I am just going to try and earn my spot, keep training well and keep performing in the practice matches.”
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Betts dragged down a strong mark during one of the drills which brought a response from his teammates as well as fans.
Dow said Docherty’s return to full training after two knee reconstructions had been a major boost.
“He has been amazing, for everyone, not just for the backline,” he said. “His leadership is amazing out there. He has been awesome for everyone.”
Originally published as Sam Walsh sends scare through Carlton pre-season camp after heavy collision with Tom De Koning
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