IT’S BEEN a regular sight to see Sam Walsh lining up inside 50 this season as the likes of Patrick Cripps, George Hewett, Adam Cerra and Matthew Kennedy have been at the centre bounce.

However, the Carlton co-vice captain said it’s easy to fall into the trap of pigeon-holing what role someone is playing solely on their starting position.

Using his running capacity to outwork his direct opponent has been a clear focus for Walsh, who has adopted a slightly different position in the team but remains very much connected with the midfield group.

For Walsh, it’s a chance to perform a role in the team which allows both him and his teammates to flourish.

FULL TRANSCRIPT Walsh's chat on 3AW

“I’m primarily a midfielder, but I think I’m pretty versatile in that I can start at half-forward and be able to have a relationship with our midfielders where, from there, I can either go inside the stoppage or out,” Walsh said on 3AW Sportsday.

“One of the biggest parts of my game that I try to use is my transition running. Whether that’s getting back hard to support the defence or getting forward, that’s where my game comes from.

“Generally [my position] is midfield, but I’ve been able to spend a bit of time forward which has been good to add to my game.”

Walsh’s emergence a genuine midfield gun in the competition was reflected by a 2021 John Nicholls Medal, All-Australian selection and 30 votes in the Brownlow Medal – tying with Greg Williams and Chris Judd for the Carlton record.

However, the chance to start more time inside 50 to allow a greater pool of on-ballers to rotate through at the centre bounce is an indication of a philosophy which Walsh believes the whole playing group has bought into.

That’s the trait of being a great teammate, which Walsh said has been a key message from Michael Voss since his first day as the Blues’ AFL Senior Coach.

“’Vossy’ has been really big on focusing on relationships, and that you can only go so far as a player by being an individual,” he said.

“It’s how you work with others and play team footy: that’s ultimately when you get the best out of yourself. That’s something that everyone has bought into.

“You definitely feel the urge to play with [Voss]… I’ve built a strong connection with him, as he has with a lot of the players.”

It's that kind of selflessness and commitment to his football which has had Walsh touted as a leader since the day he walked into IKON Park as the No.1 pick back in 2018.

While consistently holding leadership ambitions, Walsh - who has played 76 of 77 available games since being drafted - believes that you need credits in the bank and time in the game before taking the next step.

"For me, I'm pretty early in my leadership journey and I always want to get the best out of myself and others around me. If I do that, it's going to hold me in good stead no matter what age I am," he said.

"There's a lot more to being a captain than just that. 'Crippa' has been amazing... I have learnt a lot off of him and 'Vossy' and guys like them.

"I still think [captaincy] is a while away for me if it ever comes, but I'm very passionate about leadership."