IF YOU think time has flown when you hear Sam Walsh is readying himself for year six as a Blue, you wouldn’t be alone.

Particularly because the man himself agrees with you.

Few have had the impact in their opening years in the competition like that of Carlton’s midfield star, who will also be entering his third season as the Blues’ co-vice captain.

It’s been a wild ride for the 23-year-old, who is also on the eve of his 100th game in the Navy Blue.

“I can’t believe I’m going into my sixth year now,” Walsh told Channel 9 Melbourne.

“I still feel like I’m on the younger end, but I’ll be getting to veteran status soon enough.”

As Carlton headed to Bendigo for its 2024 AFL Community Camp, attention continues to heat up with the home-and-away season drawing ever closer.

With now just 23 days remaining until the Blues get their year underway, expectations continue to be cast on what the team can achieve this season — but Walsh and the Blues know there’s no point in forecasting what may or may not happen.

You just need to look at how last year unfolded to see that nothing’s for sure in football.

“There’s always that talk heading into a season about what we want to get out of it as a group. I’ve spoken on it before, but we learned a pretty valuable lesson last year about looking too far ahead,” he said.

“We know what footy stacks up, and I think that’ll lead us to good places.”