'Let him be a young bloke': AFL great Bob Murphy questions Sam Walsh's elevation into Blues leadership group
Carlton youngster Sam Walsh raised eyebrows with a terrific debut season last year, but his elevation into the Blues' leadership group has been questioned by an AFL great.
The No.1 pick broke an AFL rookie record with 554 disposals in 2019 and took out the AFL's Rising Star award, immediately becoming one of Carlton's most important players alongside skipper Paddy Cripps.
Walsh has been touted as a future captain due to his obvious leadership qualities, but his appointment as one of Carlton's leadership group was questioned by ex-Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy.
"I just think he (Walsh) is going to be there a long time," Murphy told SEN's Bob and Andy.
"Just let him be a young bloke and find his feet. Clearly he is going to be a leader but I think (in his) second year just let him find his feet.
Walsh became one of Carlton's most indispensable players in 2019 with his terrific play AAP
"He is a lead by example young player, he's not going to change any of that."
Walsh joined Liam Jones, Jacob Weitering, Ed Curnow, Marc Murphy, Cripps and Sam Docherty in the 2020 leadership group, and Jones praised the 19-year-old for his impact around the club.
"He's been quite remarkable," said Jones.
"What I've seen, within a couple of months, he's just so professional.
"His work rate and his work ethic is something that everyone looks up to.
"Even as a young player, he's going to be a role model especially for the younger guys coming through, that if you do work hard enough all these good things can happen."
