Sam Walsh | 2020 Season Review
Written by Joseph Addamo
Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.
After a largely improved season, we will be reviewing every player that pulled on the famous Navy Blue guernsey in 2020.
This is the Blue Abroad Player Review for Carlton’s #18 – Sam Walsh.
SEASON SYNOPSIS
Most draftees that explode onto the scene in their first year tend to suffer from second year blues in the AFL. Of course, there are exceptions to any rule, and Sam Walsh in 2020 proved why he was the consensus #1 Draft Pick in his 2018 class. Media scrutiny was abound after a relatively quiet start to the season for Walsh, however by the end of it, those doubters were well and truly silenced.
Among midfielders across the AFL, playing predominantly in a wing role Walsh ranked elite for intercept possessions per game (3.6) and marks (4.3). He was also ranked above average for disposals (20.5), metres gained (321.2), inside 50s (3.9), ground ball gets (7.4), score involvements (4) and total goals (8).
If the 2019 AFL Rising Star can take the second half of his 2020 form and begin this way in 2021, it’ll have everyone asking the question – Conor who?
BEST PERFORMANCE
Walsh had a so many games and moments this season that could be in contention for his best across the season. 2 goals against Port Adelaide in Round 7 turned his fortunes in 2020, while a string of consecutive 20+ disposal games from Round 11 – 18 showed the consistency that made him a moral #1 Draft Pick. However, it was his performance in a fightback for the ages against the Sydney Swans that stood out above the rest.
Walsh finished the night with game-highs in disposals (25) at 84% efficiency, kicks (20), metres gained (600), inside 50s (6) and score involvements (10). He also contributed further with 9 marks, 5 intercept possessions, 3 tackles and a goal of his own in trying conditions at Metricon Stadium.
Walsh put the team on his back in this game, as the Blues clawed their way to a win after finding themselves 39 points down halfway through the second term. It was a show of grit, determination and leadership from Walsh that had Blues fans enraptured with their kid prodigy.
OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK
In 2019, Walsh signed a two-year extension to remain at the Blues until the end of 2022. He has not missed a game since debuting in Round 1, 2019, and the accolades and awards are already piling up for the prodigious youngster.
He was the 2019 Rising Star, has been named twice in the AFL’s 22Under22 team, won the AFLPA’s best first year player, took out the 2020 AFL Mark of the Year and was voted as the competition’s Best Young Player in 2020 by the AFLCA.
Walsh was also named in Carlton’s Leadership Group in 2020 in just his second season. Speaking on his aspirations as a leader at the club so early in his career:
Coming into my time at Carlton, I wanted to earn the respect of the playing group and I feel as though I was able to do that by leading by example, working hard and having a lot of good support around me… Hopefully I can continue building my leadership qualities along the journey, but also staying true to who I am.
The sky is the limit for Walsh after putting together another fantastic season. Heading into 2021, anything is possible when it comes to how far Walsh takes in his next step to superstardom.
Once again - Conor who?
2020 REPORT CARD RATING
A
STATUS HEADING INTO 2021
Consistent Senior Player
