Gun Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh has penned a four-year contract extension in a huge show of faith to the Blues’ cursed rebuild.
The 21-year-old had already been contracted for 2022 but is now tied to Carlton until the end of 2026.
The news comes several days after Walsh was elevated to Carlton’s vice-captaincy alongside defender Jacob Weitering.
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The 2018 No.1 draft pick, who’s played 61 AFL games and is Carlton’s reigning best and fairest, said the decision to re-commit “could not have been easier”.
“Our club has a clear direction, strong leadership, as a playing group we know what we want to achieve and I want to do everything I possibly can to get us there,” Walsh said.
“From the moment I got drafted this football club has been amazing for me and my family. That includes our members and supporters. I am so grateful for how they’ve embraced me from day one.
“I’ve never taken for granted what it means to pull on that navy-blue guernsey. It represents so much to so many people.
“We have a real focus to make Carlton people proud, earn respect back for this football club and everyone we represent, and I am very excited to be part of that, not only this season but for years to come.”
Walsh looms as an imperative cog as Carlton strives to play finals footy for the first time since 2013.
The Victorian outdid Weitering and Harry McKay in topping Carlton’s 2021 best and fairest voting, while he also received his maiden All-Australian blazer and polled 30 Brownlow Medal votes to equal the most of any Carlton player in history.
Carlton head of list management Nick Austin applauded Walsh’s tremendous start to his AFL career.
“Every accolade Sam has received since entering the AFL system has been earned – it all comes from his incredible work ethic and drive to not only make himself but everybody around him better,” Austin said.
“Sam’s on-field emergence has been clear for everyone to witness, but it is his growth within the four walls of this football club which is something most people don’t see but he absolutely deserves credit for.
“As a leader, Sam is really driving that selfless philosophy of the playing group at the moment, which tells you a lot about his qualities as a person.
“To have Sam come to us and want to sign on for four additional years, before this season has even started, tells you everything you need to know about how invested he is in the direction this club is heading and how determined he is to see the Carlton Football Club earn success.
“We are delighted to have been able to re-sign Sam on a long-term deal so that our members and supporters can continue to enjoy seeing him evolve as a Carlton player and person over the coming years.”
Iron-willed midfielder Patrick Cripps will lead Carlton as sole captain in 2022.
Carlton will begin their 2022 campaign against Richmond at the MCG on March 17.
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