CARLTON'S No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh has had his stellar 2019 season recognised by the AFLPA, taking home the Best First Year Player award.
The 19-year-old produced one of best debut seasons of all time, playing every game while averaging 24 disposals, five marks, three tackles and three clearances a game.
The midfielder had 25 or more disposals on 13 occasions this season to finish only behind co-captain Patrick Cripps for disposals at Carlton in 2019.
Perfection from Patty? Murph's masterclass? Or some magic from Harry? Another piece of Blue brilliance?
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 29, 2019
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Walsh broke the record for most disposals in a player’s first AFL season with 554, surpassing the previous best (set by Toby Greene in 2012) by 15 disposals.
His outstanding season also saw Walsh record the most votes by a player in their debut season in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.
Walsh became only the second Blue to take out the AFLPA Best First Year Player, with Marc Murphy taking out the award back in 2006.
The first-year Blue is also in the running for the NAB AFL Rising Star award after earning a nomination in Round 4 against the Gold Coast Suns, where he collected 28 disposals and kicked a goal.
