Bulletproof No.1 pick Walsh tempting Carlton
CARLTON will secure one of the most risk-free No.1 selections in recent history if they pick midfielder Sam Walsh instead of trading away the first overall pick.
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan yesterday said it was impossible to find a chink in the armour of Geelong Falcons midfielder Walsh, a brilliant midfielder considered a future club leader given his outstanding character.
Blues list manager Steve Silvagni has conceded Carlton could weigh up trading away that pick as South Australian clubs attempt to push up the draft order but it seems unlikely ahead of the November 23 national draft.
Tom Boyd, Jon Patton and Jack Watts are just some of the No.1 picks in the past decade who have failed to live up to their potential.
But long-serving talent scout Sheehan says Walsh is considered bulletproof given his brand of midfield play, consistency and off-field leadership.
“He does everything right on and off the field, he is very coachable, he takes on information well. He is professional way beyond his years.
“He is a great teammate and leader and when the NAB AFL Academy group voted on their best player on and off the field every player had him in their votes. That is just unheard of and another indication of the great leadership status he holds amongst kids his age.”
Walsh, a 183cm and 74kg midfielder, still needs to put on bulk but has the ideal mix of outside pace and inside grunt to be able to stand up to the rigours of senior football.