AN impressive first pre-season will ensure Sam Walsh becomes the sixth Cobden export in the past decade to make their AFL debut.
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Carlton coach Brendon Bolton confirmed on Wednesday that the 18-year-old would play his first game for the club at the MCG against Richmond on Thusday night.
The midfielder was one of six debutants for the club heading into their round one clash against the 2017 premiers.
Walsh and rookie Michael Gibbons will make their AFL debuts, while recruits Mitch McGovern, Alex Fasolo, Will Setterfield and Nic Newman are set to play their first games in new colours.
"All have fitted in so well to our footy club culture," Bolton said of the fresh faces in the Blues' line-up.
"I think there may be as many as 13 changes from last year's Round 23 game too.
"We had the past players come in to present the players with their jumpers. It was similar to the Sunshine Coast training camp, it was great to see."
The fourth-year coach said it was a special time of year to be around the club when debutants are announced.
In Walsh's two JLT Series games he starred around the ground to finish with 28 touches against Essendon and 23 against Collingwood.
The south-west export said after the Essendon game it was surreal to be living out his dream job in Melbourne.
"I still pinch myself every time I come into the club and it's pretty crazy to train with some of the greats in the game," Walsh said.
"Also to play footy as a job and do it everyday and improve I've been loving it. Everyone has been very welcoming at the club."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
