Blues teammates defend new fitness program despite fresh Sam Walsh injury
Teammates of injured Carlton star Sam Walsh have admitted his latest setback is frustrating, but deny fitness staff pushed the midfielder to breaking point.
It's Walsh's third pre-season injury in as many years, as he struggled through ongoing back problems at the start of 2023 and 2024, before this fresh hamstring injury that has him sidelined for at least a month.
He missed a club session on Wednesday, but it hasn't got anyone in the inner sanctum concerned just yet.
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Blues midfielder George Hewett backed in the 24-year-old to be fighting fit for round one against Richmond, declaring that Walsh has been in this same position and bounced back before.
"I think he'd be a bit down but he's obviously ... very good at looking ahead, at what's next," Hewett said on Wednesday.
Sam Walsh. Getty
"That's probably why he's one of the best players."
Hewett also backed in the club's much under-fire fitness program, as they limped to the finals last season.
"Walshy knows his body pretty well now. He managed his body really well in the off-season, came back really fit," he said.
"Just one of them one, I think, where sometimes you just do soft tissue injuries."
Sam Walsh, Adam Saad and George Hewett of the Blues sing the team song in 2023. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The club has a new fitness boss in Rob Innes, who previously worked with Hewett when he was with the Swans.
And his methods have been lauded by the playing group already.
"Rob brought in fresh ideas. He's very clear in what he wants, very confident in what he believes in," Hewett said.
Sam Walsh has been away from main training with a hamstring injury. Getty
As for Walsh, his impact is still being felt by the Blues' youngest crop, even with the injury.
"Sam Walsh has really helped me out. He's a player I look up to and admire ," Smith said at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
"To be going into work each day and playing alongside Sam, and training alongside him.
"It's a dream to hopefully one day share the field with him."
The Blues play Richmond at the MCG in round one.
