One of the AFL's top 2026 free agents may very well be off the market as soon as Opening Round, as belief grows that Carlton are closing in on a long-term extension with star midfielder Sam Walsh.
According to SEN's Sam Edmund, the conversations between the Blues and Sam Walsh have been productive this pre-season, despite Walsh maintaining his focus on remaining healthy heading into his eighth AFL campaign rather than prioritising contract negotiations.
"The Blues and the Walsh camp met pre-Christmas for a conversation, and this is trending really positively for Carlton," Edmund said on Friday.
"Sam is wanting to focus fully on his pre-season in an attempt to actually get through it strongly. There's a determination to knuckle down and tick all those pre-season boxes.
"But I think there'd be some very surprised people down Carlton way if Sam Walsh had not re-signed before Round 1 of the AFL season."
Walsh has been rumoured to depart the Blues for some time now, with the likes of Geelong, St Kilda and Hawthorn all previously showing strong interest in acquiring his talents.
However, the 2021 Brownlow Medal fourth-place finisher now seems likely to remain a Blue, with the potential to be named Patrick Cripps' successor as captain down the track too.
Walsh was a highly touted leader throughout his junior football career and has been a member of Carlton's leadership group for the last six years. He was first included in their leadership group in 2020, aged just 19.
Now, at 25, the star midfielder looks primed to take on more responsibility in the coming years as he gets his body back to full strength.
Moreover, it's interesting to note the timing of this report. When Walsh last penned an extension with Carlton, he did so in February ahead of the 2022 season - a similar timeframe to this potential next deal being inked.
Walsh and the Blues will take on former Carlton star Charlie Curnow and the Sydney Swans at the SCG to launch the 2026 AFL season on Thursday, March 5.
