Sport
25 February, 2026
Cobden’s own signs major deal
COBDEN export Sam Walsh will continue to play for Carlton for the next eight years after signing the biggest deal in the club’s history.
Walsh spoke earlier in the month about a long-term extension with the AFL team, taking his name off the free agency list as Carlton prepares to face the Sydney Swans in the opening round next week.
The new deal will take the 25-year-old midfielder through to 2034, with Walsh now joining Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett and Fremantle’s Caleb Serong as the longest-signed players in the competition.
Carlton had tabled a seven-year extension a fortnight ago, with further talks lifting the contract to eight years, with the deal estimated to be worth more than $10 million as the longest and most lucrative in Blues’ history for the former number one pick.
Rival clubs, such as Geelong, St Kilda, Adelaide and Hawthorn, flagged interest in Walsh last year ahead of his free agency year, but they were unable to get into the conversation for him over summer as his priority was to stay at Carlton.
Walsh was one of the big four free agents heading into the season – alongside Zak Butters, Zac Bailey and Ben King – now reduces the group to three headline acts before a game has been played in the premiership season.
He has played 133 games for the Blues, winning best and fairest and All-Australian honours in 2021 and the Gary Ayres Medal as the best finals player in 2023.
“I love this club – I am a Carlton person and I couldn’t be happier to continue my career here,” Walsh said.
“This was obviously a big decision for me, but it was made so much easier because I know we are heading in the right direction.
“I make no secret of the fact that I want to win, and I want to win with the Carlton monogram on my chest.
“I truly believe that the key people we have here, and where our group is at right now, we are seeing a significant shift as we head into this next period of our football club, one that I know is going to be really exciting to be part of.”
The 25-year-old began his journey at the Blues after being selected with the number one overall pick in the 2018 AFL Draft.
“When I arrived, our club was last on the ladder,” Walsh said.
“Footy isn’t a linear experience, everyone knows that, but I am all in on the next eight years and doing everything I can to help us reach the top and stay there – the day we do will mean everything to me.
“The Carlton family is like no other: the roar, the passion, is unbelievable.
“To continue to share that with you all, I can’t wait – it is going to be special to do that together.”
Walsh’s impact on the competition was immediate, winning the 2019 AFL Rising Star, 2019 AFLPA Best First-Year Player and 2020 AFLCA Best Young Player.
He played in every game across his first three seasons, the last of which resulted in a fourth-place finish in the 2021 Brownlow Medal with 30 votes – tying the Carlton record at the time.
With an elite average of 27.4 disposals over the course of his career, Walsh has established himself as one of the competition's top midfielders.
He went on to win the John Nicholls Medal and earn All-Australian honours at the end of 2021, and by 2022, his outstanding leadership qualities were recognised with his appointment as co-vice captain alongside Jacob Weitering and Patrick Cripps (captain) ahead of his fourth season.
The following year, Walsh’s reputation as a big game player was solidified, proving a standout in his maiden finals series, winning the 2023 Gary Ayres Medal as the AFL’s best finals player.
Head of list management Nick Austin said Walsh’s re-signing was a huge coup for the Club, creating real momentum on the eve of the season.
“Sam embodies everything we value at Carlton – elite standards, humility and a relentless drive to improve,” he said.
“He is someone who genuinely wants to bring success to our members and supporters.
“To get his signature before the AFL season even starts perfectly sums up the type of player and person he is, and the type of environment we want to be building where our people believe in what they are helping create.
“Not only is he a brilliant player, Sam is also an exceptional leader, someone who sets the tone both on and off the field.
“Ever since he arrived at IKON Park, his passion for Carlton has been clear, working hard to create an environment you want to be part of.”