“IT’S ONLY one game and we’ve got a big task ahead of us this weekend.”

Sam Walsh implored his teammates not to rest on their laurels ahead of the weekend’s trip to Metricon Stadium.

On the back of Carlton recording the four points for the first time this season, the Blues head to the scene of last year’s hub looking to square the ledger at two and two.

One of Carlton’s best in the win over Fremantle, Walsh - in his second year in the leadership group - said the onus was on backing up on the trip to the Sunshine State.

“We know we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Walsh said on 3AW Sportsday.

“The positive thing is we played the way we wanted to, that’s tough defensively. For us to be able to respond in that manner and play the way we wanted to was a positive for our group.

“We’ve got to be on our game and I’m sure [Gold Coast] will be on theirs as well.”

It was a career-best showing from Walsh in terms of his ball-winning at the contest, collecting 37 disposals as he continues his stunning form as an inside midfielder.

In his opening three games of the season, Walsh has averaged over 32 disposals, five clearances and five inside 50s per match, despite results going against the Blues in the opening fortnight.

Walsh said it was important for the team to maintain high standards on the track, particularly if they’re to back up the result from the weekend.

“For us, we’ve grown our identity in the past two-and-a-bit years under ‘Teaguey’,” he said.

“At training, we demand a high level of each other… you look at the teams that are doing well at the moment, they do the fundamentals well.

“There were also areas where we can get better, knowing when to pull the trigger on some kicks or when to slow the game down.’

Walsh was one of a number of midfielders to shine on Sunday, with his partner-in-crime Patrick Cripps enjoying an emphatic return to form.

The young midfielder couldn’t have been more complimentary of the impact Cripps has had since Walsh himself walked in the door at the end of 2018.

“‘Crippa’ is an unbelievable leader for our group,” he said.

“To run out alongside him, you stand taller. He’s been massive not only for me, but a lot of us young boys that have come through the Club in the last 2-3 years.

“We’ve got to keep working together as a midfield group to get the best out of each other, and we can challenge teams on the back of that.”