This week, 19-year-old Sam Walsh – who is undergoing only his second pre-season in the AFL system – was elevated into the Blues’ now seven-man leadership group.
Mere hours after the announcement, many pundits had strong opinions regarding the decision.
“Let him be a young bloke,” warned former Dogs captain Bob Murphy.
“Just let him find his feet.”
Yes, Walsh is young. Yes, he may be inexperienced when it comes to leadership. But he isn’t just any other 19-year-old.
Walsh’s 2019 was unlike anything we have ever seen from a young man out of the NAB League pathway. Going at an average of 25 disposals while simultaneously not missing a game all year is no easy feat.
It’s almost unfair to compare Walsh with his contemporaries (unless you ask Luke Darcy, who did not award Walsh with full votes during the Rising Star ceremony).
Similar talented players such as Tim Taranto, Andrew McGrath, and Andrew Brayshaw did not offer the same output as Walsh in his debut season. Realistically, one can only compare the impact the likes of Nathan Buckley, Tim Kelly, and Michael Barlow.
The latter trio were anomalies in the sense that they were passed on in their respective national drafts and picked up as 23-year-olds who were ready-made men.
Being elevated to the leadership group is not based purely on skill. By all accounts, Walsh is a professional and a solid contributor on and off the field.
The Blues are a young club, so it is feasible to suggest that Walsh was designated a leader due to the fact that he is a perfect example of what is expected among the other young players on the list – an example for others to emulate.
It sends a message to everyone that this is what is expected of you as a player, even if you are only a year deep into your development.
Elevating Walsh into the leadership group would not have been an easy decision, and would have been meticulously analysed by Carlton’s inner sanctum.
Continued growth and success in 2020 is required from Walsh and the playing group to warrant this decision – stagnation will not be accepted by the media or the club’s supporters.
Sam Walsh will now be held to a higher standard, a standard I’m confident he can continue to surpass.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I quite like that, Macca. Not sure that many of the younger brigade will ‘get it’ though. It’s a shame.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I think he believes Walsh will have to “get up in the morning at ten o’clock at night half an hour before he went to bed, drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work twenty-nine hours a day down mill, and pay mill owner for permission to come to work, and when he gets home, his Dad and his mother would ki!! him and dance about on his graves singing Hallelujah”
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Gee Jonboy, he could also be feeling proud that the coaches & players have a high regard for him which will want him to thank them by actually having a better season than last year. Do you actually know what a leadership group does?
Macca
Roar Rookie
"There is Nothing to gain here but plenty to lose" There is no chance he will gain valuable experience? And what exactly do you think it is he will be required to do in this leadership role?
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
I am with Rob Murphy he is right, and Top4 and some Blues fan are wrong. There is Nothing to gain here but plenty to lose. If Carlton don't improve you could find this kid stepping down in two years to concentrate on his football. One year he was free to roam, it is a silly decision that may come back to haunt.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Exactly, when you have Cripps, Docherty, (both Captains) Murphy (former Captain) & Ed Curnow (long term leadership group member) Walsh isn't going to be asked to do a whole heap.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think in big leadership groups there's scope to reward young outstanding players by exposing them to this sort of thing. Cripps has been running the midfield for the last two years and it's been great for him. Far from a Trengrove/Grimes situation, he's not hanging out there on his lonesome being screamed at by Mark Neeld
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
If you're good enough, you're old enough. And this boy is very, very good. A natural.
Macca
Roar Rookie
The thing is this kid is leading already, all this is doing is giving him some recognition for his efforts. One of the things that has me expecting improvement is Walsh's impact on other young players like Dow, Setterfield & Fisher, Walsh has come in and raised the bar for those player, he has showed them what Cripps was preaching last year is true - you don't have to wait to be a good player you can take matters into your own hands. All the whispers coming out of pre-season have been that those 3 in particular have really embraced that.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Sam Walsh is a outstanding and exciting young player I don’t think I have seen a better first year player, but I personally think he isn’t ready and shouldn’t be placed in the leadership group he should be allowed to grow into the role over 3 to 4 years, I hope for Carlton he is a Wayne Carey type and can handle the promotion and lead from the front, we have to remember that Sam is just a kid in a game for men.