Carlton star Sam Walsh will miss at the very least the primary month of the AFL season and is sidelined indefinitely after requiring again surgical procedure.
Walsh’s early season absence is a hefty blow to the Blues’ hopes of kicking on for his or her first finals look since 2013.
The membership’s 2021 finest and fairest winner, he is an important a part of the Carlton midfield.
Walsh had been managing a again damage for the reason that finish of the 2022 season, together with lacking the spherical 23 loss to Collingwood that value the Blues a long-awaited finals berth.
Carlton had performed down the seriousness of the setback earlier in pre-season however on Friday confirmed Walsh had a micro-discectomy process in his again on Thursday evening.
The surgical procedure concerned the removing of a bulging disc portion to alleviate stress on a nerve.
The Blues mentioned they’d taken a number of months to discover options for the 22-year-old earlier than choosing surgical procedure.
“Throughout the last few months our number one priority has been for Sam’s wellbeing in managing this issue, which is why we explored every possible conservative treatment option,” Carlton soccer boss Brad Lloyd mentioned on Friday.
“Following this extensive process, it was clear that given all alternative treatments had not progressed his recovery, surgery was the required option to correct the issue.
“Sam is now recovering after present process surgical procedure final evening and can begin his rehabilitation within the New Year.
“While Sam’s professionalism and resilience is well-known, we will absolutely give Sam all the time he needs to make a full recovery before he returns to the side during the season.
“Due to the long-term nature of this rehabilitation, it is not potential to verify a set date for his return proper now.
“Once the opening month of the season has been completed though, we expect to be able to provide more clarity on his expected return to play.”
Walsh has performed 81 video games and kicked 31 objectives since he was drafted at choose No.1 within the 2018 AFL draft.
He gained the AFL Rising Star award in his debut season in 2019 and was All-Australian in 2021.
