IF anyone knows what Sam Walsh is going through, it’s Paddy Dow.

This time 12 months ago, Dow was preparing for his AFL debut as Carlton’s first pick. He was pick No.3 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.

Now, Walsh — last year’s pick No.1 — is hoping for a potential debut in the season opener against Richmond.

Dow was full of praise for someone he knows quite well.

After all, the two were teammates at Vic Country in 2017, before being reunited at Carlton back in November.

“He has come straight into the system and having an impact really early, he’s been leading by example and showing what he’s capable of,” Dow told SEN on Wednesday.

“He’s been awesome.”

In terms of advice, Dow has kept it simple.

While saying Walsh “hasn’t needed much”, Dow said he was passing on his experiences, having been in the same predicament 12 months ago.

“I’ve been talking to him about learning all the craft and learning everything to do with the system,” he said.

“Once he gets all around that, it allows him to play with what he’s good at, play off instinct and not worry about how everything works.

“He’s been thriving in a full-time environment.”

Dow made his AFL debut in front of 90,151 people last year, running out for Carlton in the season opener after a personally impressive JLT Community Series.

Should Walsh pull on the Navy Blue for the first time in a week, he won’t have to look far if he needs some pointers.

“It’s always talked up, it’s got an awesome crowd and to be the first game of the year is really exciting,” Dow said.

“It should be a great game and hopefully we can play a full game out this year like we did in the first quarter last year.”