“Overly dramatic”: Former Blues high performance boss weighs in on Sam Walsh injury issues

Former Carlton Director of High Performance Andrew Russell is not concerned about Sam Walsh’s longevity in the game, despite the spate of recent injury issues he has dealt with.

Walsh missed large chunks of pre-season training in 2023 and 2024 with a back issue and has now suffered a hamstring strain in 2025.

The Blues expect him to be ready for the season and Russell has no concerns for Walsh long term.

“For four years Walsh hardly missed a session. He was one of the most resilient young players I’ve ever seen come into the game – and I don’t say that lightly,” Russell told SEN Breakfast.

“He was extraordinary. He also came into the game with a huge training history. He was one of the fittest young guys that I’d met. He spent a lot of time on it.

“He had a huge impact on that playing group with the intensity that he trained at when he came into the club.

“I think everyone is being a bit overly dramatic to be honest. He’s got a huge history. He’s had one pre-season that’s been heavily restricted since he’s been at Carlton.

“Last year he did a lot of work early, had a bit of an issue and then came back and did a lot of work.

“The year before he didn’t do much. He had an extraordinary year in 2023. One of the reasons he finished the year so well was the fact that he had a slower start and had the big training history to draw on and he was fresher than everyone else at the end of the year.

“So I’m really optimistic about Walshy. He’s been able to do a lot of work. My understanding is his back is feeling good.

“Half of the AFL would have back issues. The majority don’t end up causing them a lot of issues. A lot of players manage them and people don’t even know about it.

“I’d be optimistic about Walsh. He’s had two hamstring issues in his life. I wouldn’t be overly dramatic about it.”

Carlton will face St Kilda in a scratch match at Princes Park, before traveling to Canberra to play GWS in the AAMI Community Series.