Sam Walsh is loving life as an AFL footballer.
The number one draft pick and former Ocean Grove resident has played every game for Carlton this season and has had to endure his coach getting sacked and carrying the pressure of being the standout favourite for the NAB Rising Star award.
“I’ve been loving it,” Walsh told the Voice.
“It’s been a bit better of late, winning a few games.
“Bolts (Brendon Bolton) gave me my first chance so obviously very grateful to him for that but when results aren’t going your way, something has to give.
“It was a tough time and it just shows how brutal the AFL industry can be
“We had to move on pretty quick.”
Walsh is not concerned about being a runaway favourite for the Rising Star award.
“It doesn’t cross my mind too much at all,” he said.
“My focus is week to week and trying to play consistent footy for the club and the individual awards probably come with that, but I’m not locking anything in.
“I’ve definitely been more focused in what’s happening inside the four walls and that’s held me in good stead.”
Moving from the tranquil surrounds of Ocean Grove to the big smoke has been surprisingly easy for Walsh.
“Moving up to Melbourne and moving away from home, things like organisation skills and doing things for yourself,” he said.
“Probably even those social skills, you’re meeting new people all the time and it’s been great for me.
“I definitely do miss home but I’m always pretty busy and I’ve been able to handle that pretty well and I’m surrounding myself with good people and living with a few of the Carlton boys so that’s helped me fit in.”
Walsh shares a house with teammates Will Setterfield, Darcy Lang and Matthew Kennedy.
“They’ve been great to me and always a bit of fun,” he said.
Walsh said he has been able to learn from the senior Carlton players over the course of his debut season.
“One of the things I have learnt is how much you grow each week from playing AFL football,” he said.
“Each week it’s different, you’ve got to be on your game. You can see why the best players are so good because of everything behind the scenes that goes into it.
“Mentally you’ve got to stay on your game more than anything.
“I think we’re pretty lucky at Carlton, we’ve got a lot of great players.
“Probably the ones that stand out are the more-experienced guys like Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Patty Cripps – obviously I’m going to miss a few there but there have been so many blokes who have helped me along the way.
“I’ve probably annoyed them a little bit asking heaps of questions because we’re such a young group, they’re definitely happy to help and I think it’s helped my footy heaps and a lot of the younger guys around you as well.”
Walsh said David Teague’s appointment as coach was welcomed by the group.
“What Teaguey has brought to the table and the energy he provides around the group is great and I think we have all responded in a resilient way and shown what we are capable of as a team,” he said.
“I think that’s a good sign for us heading into preseason if we can work hard and make it our goal to carry this into preseason next year and really launch into 2020.”
Walsh is looking forward to this week’s final game of the season at Geelong.
“I can’t wait,” he said.
“It’s one thing on the calendar I’ve been looking at of late.
“A lot of my mates go to the footy in Geelong so it’ll be an unreal experience. I’m looking forward to getting a lot of family there and hopefully getting a win.”
