Sam Walsh | 2021 Season Review

Written by Ari Stamatakos

SEASON SYNOPSIS

Second season syndrome, Sam Walsh looks at that notion and laughs right in its face. I think we all knew that Walsh was going to have an unreal season. It was all built for him, all he needed to do was rise to the occasion, and boy did he. He started hot, and never cooled down. In his worst performance of the season - by a long way - he still had 20 touches and had 4 clearances. He elevated his levels each week and added layers to his game every week. He worked 10 times harder on the inside, having nearly 60 more tackles than last year. As well as developing a tank in which was already one of the best in the league. He will almost definitely win the John Nicholls medal and got his first All-Australian blazer. This was one of the best third years by a player in a long, long time. He is a smoky for the Brownlow and will poll in a lot of games. Dare I say, if Carlton had, had the season in which he all expected them to, then he could’ve had it wrapped up. 

Walsh had a breakout year, establishing himself as one of the league’s best players. He ranked elite in Disposals (29.8), Effective disposals (22.2), Ground ball gets (8.8), Pressure acts (22.9) and Shot involvements (6.5). These are the hallmarks of a midfielder who can do it all, he is class on the outside but has the grit and tenacity on the inside. And for someone who doesn’t bring any scoreboard impact, 0.5 goals a game isn’t bad at all.

BEST PERFORMANCE

You could literally - without any hyperbole - pick 5 or 6 games, where with any normal player in any normal year, would be their best game. Let’s rattle through some that didn’t make the cut. 37 touches against The Dockers in round 3. 33 disposals and a goal against The Bombers and Lions. 33 and 8 clearances against the Swans, 30 and 11 marks against the Eagles. 38 and 7 marks against the Crows. 36, 2 goals and 8 clearances against the Cats. Put the piece de resistance, was his unbelievable performance against the Pies.  

39 disposals, 80% efficiency, 15 contested possessions, 9 marks, 5 tackles, 6 score involvements, 26 pressure acts, 5 clearances and 2 inside 50’s and a “F**k Yeah” to put the cherry on top of the most beautiful cake. The bigger the stage the bigger the man, and Sam Walsh grew 10 sizes this night. On an emotional and important night for the whole football club, he put the club on his back and dragged them over the line. 10 touches and an important clearance to set up Harry McKay after just kicking a marvellous goal himself, is just a summary of how good Sam Walsh was on that night, he was unbelievable.

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

After coming off that season, is there anything to work on? Well no. He has added layer after layer to his game and keeps evolving, making him near unstoppable. He was won, nearly everything on an individual level, all that is left, is to get Charlie around his neck. What is his goal for 2022? Just keep on keeping on. He should, hopefully, get some help with Cripps, maybe Williams coming back into the midfield, and potentially, even Adam Cerra. Sam Walsh is an absolute superstar of the competition, and no one can stop him. 

2021 REPORT CARD RATING

A+

STATUS HEADING INTO 2022 

Star Player.