Carlton are moving swiftly to secure the services of No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh for the long-term future.
Walsh’s agent Winston Rous told AFL.com.au’s Mitch Cleary that the young star had commenced preliminary talks with the Blues about extending his existing 2020 contract.
The move would follow the club’s strategy of locking in youngsters early after Paddy Dow, Carlton’s No.3 pick in 2017, signed for a further three-years last year prior playing a senior game.
After his debut season in 2016, the Blues’ No.1 pick in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft Jacob Weitering also put pen to paper when the club tabled an additional four-year deal.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Lochie O’Brien added two years to his contract last year.
The Blues are keen to establish a core group of players for the future, by locking Walsh away with Dow, O’Brien, Weitering, Will Setterfield (contracted until the end of 2022), Zac Fisher (2021) and star pair Charlie Curnow (2023) and Patrick Cripps (2021).
Carlton's young talent will be on display when the Blues and Bombers open the JLT Community Series at Ikon Park on Thursday 28th February.
