PLAYING to his strengths.

His 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star award largely came about on the back of his performances in the clinches, but Sam Walsh is embracing his role on the wing this season.

The 20-year-old was once again among Carlton’s best players on Saturday, producing 21 disposals and a goal as the Blues held on against a persistent North Melbourne.

It capped off an impressive month for Walsh, who ranks second at Carlton for uncontested possessions, third for metres gained and equal-first for intercepts since Round 4.

Walsh said he was happy with his uplift in form over the last few weeks.

“I’m playing to my strengths more and more and really embracing that wing role,” Walsh said on FOX Footy.

“As a team, we’re really helping each other play to our strengths and I think that’s held me in good stead.”

His strong showing against North Melbourne comes after his team-best performance against Port Adelaide a week prior: however, of course, he wasn’t alone.

Walsh said the way his teammates rallied when challenged was a positive sign from the win, as well as the work in the contest.

“It was one of those games where we had to dig in and at times, it wasn’t going our way,” he said.

“That showed the character of the group to stand up where we needed to.

“We were really happy with our contest work around the ball… we needed a little bit more composure going forward.”

It was another game which had Carlton supporters at home - and at the Gabba - on the edge of their seats.

With five games decided by seven points or less in the opening eight games, Walsh said the playing group was learning by the week.

“We’ve been caught in that situation a bit as of late, so I think it’s something that we pride ourselves on: to get that right,” he said.

“You like to see improvement from week to week with our group. I think we showed that.”