Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh identifies key area of growth in his game heading into 2020
Sam Walsh produced a stunning debut season in 2019 to win the AFL’s Rising Star award. But don’t expect any second year Blues from the 19-year-old, who has spent the off-season in the gym and working on a key facet of his game.
Carlton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Carlton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Carlton young gun Sam Walsh has identified contested ball as a key area of improvement in his game as he looks to build on a bumper debut season.
The 2019 Rising Star winner, Walsh averaged 25.2 disposals but only 9.6 contested possessions across 22 games for the Blues last season.
However, after a second summer in the gym further building his body, the 19-year-old is confident he will be able to take his game to a new level in the thick of the action.
Watch every match of the Marsh Community Series AFL pre-season comp LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“On the back of last year I learnt so much,” Walsh told the Herald Sun from a shoot for Kayo Sports Wednesday.
“The contested element of the game is something I want to keep working on. You look at the best players in the game and how skilful they are around the contest and that’s something that I want to try and keep improving on with my game as well.
“The biggest thing for me heading into my second pre-season was to maintain my running but put on a bit more size.
“I’ve been able to do that so far and that’s just the natural progression with doing the second year of weights and getting to know what the pre-season looks like for me.”
Despite being led by Brownlow Medal favourite Patrick Cripps, Carlton’s midfield group is ranked the worst in the AFL by Champion Data.
However, the group helped propel the Blues to a strong second half of the season in 2019 and Walsh said greater continuity would help ensure significant growth.
“Hopefully we get a bit more continuity through there,” Walsh said.
MORE WALSH:
Stunning stats that show Carlton rookie Sam Walsh shades stars like Ablett, Dangerfield, Bontempelli
Sam Walsh sends scare through Carlton pre-season camp after heavy collision with Tom De Koning
“On the back of winning games in the back half of last year we tried to keep it pretty simple in the midfield and play to our strengths. I think that’s something we’ll take into this year and hopefully keep on working together to help each other.”
Walsh said co-captain Sam Docherty was on track to feature during the Blues’ pre-season matches and nominated the club’s top draft pick from 2019 — Sam Philp — as a player to watch.
“Sam Philip is really exciting with his speed and power and there’s a few younger guys that are also putting their feet forward,” Walsh said.
“There’s great competition for spots and they (the draftees) are asking heaps of questions and learning a fair bit so it’s pretty exciting times.”
MORE AFL: