“MYSELF and the Club were pretty aligned, and I don’t think there was any reason to put that back.”
For Sam Walsh, there was never any doubt about extending his tenure in the Navy Blue.
It was the perfect start to the week for Carlton fans across the country, when it became official that the superstar midfielder would be sticking around at IKON Park.
The announcement of the four-year extension - on top of the existing year already on his current contract - was signed, sealed and delivered before a Sherrin was kicked in anger in the 2022 AFL season.
A Blue until at least the end of 2026, it marks another significant moment in a big fortnight for Walsh, who was announced as co-vice captain less than a fortnight ago.
“It’s amazing to be able to get it all done,” Walsh told Carlton Media.
“You grow up dreaming of playing AFL footy, so whenever you sign a contract, it’s a pretty cool feeling. I’m definitely pumped to be on board with the Club for another five years, with hopefully some good times between now and then.”
At that leadership group press conference two Saturdays ago, the questions from the media pack came thick and fast, quickly changing tune from the vice captaincy to queries surrounding when he would commit to the Blues.
It’s only natural that, when you perform the way Walsh has across his three seasons, his future would be a hot topic.
But for the 21-year-old, he couldn’t have been more comfortable at the place that has been his home since November 2018.
“The talk definitely does start. For me, I’ve never seen it as too much of a distraction: I’m always focused on what I can do as a player, and the rest will take care of itself,” he said.
“Hopefully with that being done, I can get down to the nitty-gritty of the season… and hopefully a few less interviews!”
It’s been an award-ladened first three years in the AFL system for Walsh, adding the 2021 John Nicholls Medal, All-Australian selection and a fourth-placed finish in the Brownlow Medal to his NAB AFL Rising Star, AFLPA Best First-Year Player and AFLCA Best Young Player nods from previous seasons.
However, it’s no secret that Walsh isn’t resting on his laurels leading into the upcoming campaign.
The workhorse on-baller said - unsurprisingly - it was the prospect of team success which fuelled his desire to work more than any individual accolade.
“I don’t look back at things too much,” he said.
“As a team, we haven’t got the success we’ve wanted to yet. Hopefully they’re the things that when I’m done with footy that I’ll look back on and enjoy.
“I know my family get a lot of joy and pride out of it: seeing them come to the footy and enjoy themselves, as well as my mates, makes it very enjoyable.
“I’ve been loving my three years.”
Similar to when he was announced as co-vice captain 10 days ago, one of the first phone calls that Walsh made when the contract extension was made official was to his parents.
Still just 21 years of age leading into the upcoming season, Walsh said he would try to keep things as normal as possible and business as usual despite the new title he finds himself with.
“I’ve always had aspirations to be a leader of the group, but I’ve always tried to be myself as well,” he said.
“When you look at the good clubs, they’re consistent from week-to-week: they do the right things and results follow. Hopefully that’s what [our supporters] can see from us this year, and from there they can cheer us on.
“Going forward, it’s going to be great to have the fans around and hopefully, as a team, we can return their support with some success. We’ve got to do the work first.”
