AFL 2024: Carlton star Sam Walsh on modified training program after troublesome back flares up

Carlton’s Opening Round preparations have suffered a big blow with the troublesome back of star midfielder Sam Walsh flaring up again.

Sam Walsh’s troublesome back has flared up again with Carlton’s September star officially sidelined from Thursday’s trial match against Geelong at Ikon Park.

Walsh, 23, reported soreness following a solid match simulation session last Monday and he has since been placed on a modified training program.

The Blues said the star midfielder’s return to full training would be guided by how Walsh was feeling over the coming days and weeks.

It was too early for the Blues to make a call on Walsh’s potential availability for next Wednesday’s pre-season match against Melbourne at Ikon Park.

The Blues have already lost Jacob Weitering (calf) for the first chunk of the home-and-away season and are due to start their campaign in just over two weeks.

Sam Walsh is on a modified training program. Picture: David Crosling

They take on Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Mach 8.

Walsh – who won the 2023 Gary Ayres Medal as the best finals player as voted by the coaches – played 81 out of a possible 82 matches before hurting his back for the first time in 2022.

Walsh was withdrawn from the club’s make-or-break round 23 match against Collingwood in 2022 and then underwent surgery in the pre-season.

He then missed the first four matches of the following season.

Walsh suffered a bulging disc that pressed on to a nerve, causing pain to run down his right leg that prevented him from running.

When Walsh continued to suffer sharp pain despite receiving injections and other treatments they opted for surgery in late 2022, which relieved the nerve pain.

The devoted trainer shook off that injury in 2023 as the Blues turbocharged into a preliminary final off the back of his brilliance.

Walsh is continuing to have injury trouble. Picture: Michael Klein

Walsh averaged 32 disposals across three finals and booted two crunch goals in the semi-final win against the Demons at the MCG.

While Walsh has again reported back soreness there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the severity of his latest injury.

Ruckman Marc Pittonet has trained fully this week after a minor problem with his lower leg.

But Pittonet is also expected to sit out Thursday’s clash against the Cats, which has been pushed back from 11am to 11.30am.

The Blues will announce their squad for the unofficial scratch match at 5pm on Wednesday.