THE age-old adage - or “cliche”, as he puts it - is ringing true for Sam Walsh.

In his recovery from a back injury, he’s just taking it one session at a time.

While last year he made an earlier-than-predicted return from a syndesmosis injury, Walsh said the long-term approach would be taken in regards to his 2023 campaign and beyond.

Speaking from The LUME as Carlton and Hyundai extended their partnership for a further five years, Walsh provided an insight into his upcoming recovery plans.

“I haven’t looked too far ahead,” Walsh said.

“With the physios at the moment, every session there are incremental gains involved. We haven’t put a timeline on the contact stuff as yet.

“With the back, there are strict guidelines you have to follow, but now that we’re past the six-week mark, we can still start introducing other things.”

Another impressive 2022 campaign which resulted in a John Nicholls Medal podium finish was book-ended by Walsh missing the first and final games of the season.

For the 2021 All Australian, it’s all about getting back to playing his best football in the Navy Blue for the longest possible time.

As such, timelines haven’t changed when it comes to his potential return date.

“We’ll stick to that month. By then, we’ll have a good look at where we’re heading,” he said.

“For me, I want to come back the best player I can. Wherever that lands, we’ll reassess at that month mark.

“I learnt the hard way last year about how cruel it can be missing games late in the year.

“That’s when it really counts. Standing here now, I want to be fit and firing around that time of year.”