Carlton Blues’ Injury Update Heading into Round 1: Insights from Assistant Coach Jordan Russell
Sam Walsh, aged 23, has been dealing with back issues for over a year following major surgery. He did not participate in the Blues’ practice match against the Geelong Cats on Thursday and will also miss their second and final practice match next week. However, Russell emphasized a cautious approach to ensure Walsh returns to his peak form from the 2021 season.
“Sam’s dealing with ongoing back soreness, and we’re still in the process of understanding the exact nature of the issue,” Russell stated. “Given his caliber as a player, we’re proceeding cautiously. Rushing his recovery could risk aggravating the injury and sidelining him for a significant portion of the season, which is something we’re keen to avoid. Our priority is to have him pain-free and performing at his best.”
Alongside Walsh, three other players are sidelined, including Jacob Weitering, who will miss the opening clash against the Brisbane Lions but is expected to return by Round 3 after recovering from a calf injury.
“Jacob’s progress has been promising; he began running last week. While we’re optimistic about his return, we’re mindful of the seriousness of the injury and won’t rush his comeback,” Russell explained.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jack Martin is set to return to action next week after dealing with an MCL sprain. Russell expressed his excitement about Martin’s imminent comeback, highlighting his importance to the team’s forward line.
“Jack should be available for some form of match play in the coming weeks, which is a positive development. He had a strong pre-Christmas period, and although he’s faced some minor setbacks post-Christmas, we’re eager to have him back on the field,” Russell said.
Lastly, Zac Williams, who has been recovering from an ACL tear suffered last summer, is nearing a return to match fitness and is expected to feature in the next couple of weeks.
“He’s almost there; we anticipate him getting some match fitness in the coming weeks. His return will be a significant boost for us, almost like having a new recruit,” Russell concluded.
