Track watch: Sam Walsh talks pre-season, Ollie Hollands impresses in new halfback role at Carlton

Ollie Hollands impressed in a new role as Carlton hit the track on Wednesday, with midfield star Sam Walsh looking to put previous injury-plagued pre-seasons behind him.

Carlton star Sam Walsh is planning to take his running game to another level this pre-season as the Blues adjust to life under a new fitness regime.

Former No.1 pick Walsh arrived at Ikon Park as a fully formed midfielder and didn’t miss a game in his first three seasons but has fought with a back issue in the past two seasons.

Already a renowned runner, Walsh said he was fit and ready to take on summer as he planned to use an injury-free pre-season to raise his ability to cover the ground to an even higher plain.

“I think the biggest thing for me is getting that full pre-season under my belt,” he said.

Sam Walsh is hoping for an injury-free summer. Picture: David Crosling

“I do that by putting in the work and listening to my body, which I have been. And from there I really want to get after my power running, which is where the game is going and a lot of boys have shown growth in that area and that is what I am going after too.”

Walsh was one of several Blues to have fitness struggles in recent years, with a packed medical room almost costing Carlton a spot in the finals this year.

Blues fitness boss Andrew Russell left the club at the end of the season and Carlton poached Rob Inness from Sydney to head up high performance.

Walsh said the new team has “created a lot of energy” to start pre-season.

A number of Blues – including Walsh, Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni and Corey Durdin – went through tailored and detailed warm ups with the rehab group before Wednesday’s training session before joining main training.

Walsh has been plagued by back concerns. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We have seen slight changes that I probably won’t go into and you are probably going to get that anytime someone comes into a club, a few new ideas,” Walsh said.

“The boys have really taken to that and I think from here it is the onus on us as a group to drive that standard because that is where the growth is going to come from.”

The Carlton co-vice-captain said the “pretty ambitious” Blues had lined up some goals for the season that would remain behind closed doors for now.

But the key to getting into true premiership contention would be consistency, which can only be helped by keeping the injury list low.

“We want to let our football do the talking and we want to play a powerful brand on the offensive and defensive end,” Walsh said.

“And the growth comes from our consistency because we know that has wavered the last couple of years.”

TRACK WATCH: BLUES UNLEASH TOP DRAFTEE IN SURPRISE NEW ROLE

Carlton has begun some summer experimentations with half-back flanker Nic Newman and winger Ollie Hollands showing off a potential swap.

Defensive distributor Newman finished second in the Carlton best-and-fairest this year but was in the middle of stoppage work with the midfield group during a lengthy session on Wednesday morning.

Hollands spent some time in defence late in 2024 and could continue there, as he trained with the defensive group at the same time.

Newman’s shrewd left-foot kicking stood out with the on-ballers, while Hollands’ trademark run popped with the backs.

Another Blue who was moved around late in 2024, Brodie Kemp was with the forward group, alongside Zac Williams and Alex Cincotta, who both spent large parts of this year in the front half.

Star midfielder Sam Walsh joked that Newman could be about to push dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps out of the engine room.

“I think Crippa is going to half-back and (Newman) is going on ball,” Walsh laughed.

“I wouldn’t even be able to tell you, it might be a question for the coaches but he has a pretty nice kick. If they are looking for that in there, a left footer, I might welcome him in.”

A big contingent of Blues started the session in the rehab group, including Walsh, Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni, but that trio all joined the main group shortly after.

Ollie Hollands on the track at Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

Injury-prone defender Mitch McGovern and Orazio Fantasia didn’t join the main group, Blake Acres (back) also stayed away.

Tom De Koning was on light duties and only marked with his left hand, after finishing last season with a foot complaint.

All of Carlton’s supplemental selection period train-on players – Denver Grainger-Barras, Matt Carroll, Sam Durdin and Liam McMahon – were all on track as they push for the remaining two spots on Carlton’s list.

Alongside them were a number of VFL Blues, such as former Hawk Ethan Phillips and former Power and Cats forward Francis Evans.

Walsh said the likes of Harry Lemmey – who appears noticeably beefed up – Jesse Motlop, Jaxon Binns and Lachie Cowan had set a strong standard with the young players before senior Blues returned to training this week.

And newly arrived No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith had settled in seamlessly.

“I think guys who have played at a high level for so long just know what it takes and he has shown that, and had a bit of that leadership quality,” Walsh said.

Carlton was off Ikon Park as the surface undergoes scheduled work following the AFLW grand final, and sent to train on an outer oval in Princes Park.

Coach Michael Voss was one of the few notable absentees, after being spotted watching EPL club Tottenham Hotspur draw with Fulham on the weekend.

Voss is on a study trip, connecting with Blues fan and Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, but Walsh wasn’t completely on board with the coach’s choice of club.

“I was watching the highlights of the Tottenham game and saw Vossy’s head up there. I was a bit jealous of him,” Walsh said.

“I’m a Liverpool man so I wasn’t all for it but I think he has had a great trip there … it looked like a pretty important section of the crowd there. I wasn’t quite getting those tickets when I was overseas.”

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

Adam Cerra – Hamstring issues have peppered Cerra’s last two seasons but the former Docker looked in great shape to dive into pre-season. The onballer moved well and was not part of the large rehab group at the start of training.

Corey Durdin – Blues fans have high hopes for Durdin after shoulder woes and he moved strongly on Wednesday, despite wearing a fluoro cap, indicating he was not to have contact. With Matt Owies now at West Coast, Durdin and Jesse Motlop will hold important roles next year as small forwards.

Blues fans have high hopes Corey Durdin can be the answer as a small forward. Picture: Michael Klein

Jack Silvagni – It was in last pre-season Silvagni did his ACL and missed the entire season, but he looked ready to go on Wednesday. He played as a forward target during a midfield drill.

Ollie Hollands – The renowned runner never has any question marks about his fitness and he appears well suited to a role at half-back. The Blues will debate his position throughout summer but his line breaking run was a highlight of a defensive drill.

Originally published as Track watch: Sam Walsh talks pre-season, Ollie Hollands impresses in new halfback role at Carlton