COBDEN could have another star AFL player about to join the ranks of its established footballers in the top league.
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Number one draft pick and opening round debut chance Sam Walsh showed he can match it with the best in the league in Carlton's nine-point JLT Community Series victory against Essendon at Ikon Park on Thursday night.
The 18-year-old finished with 28 disposals and eight inside 50s in a positive showing by many of the Blues' rising stars in the 15.10 (100) to 14.7 (91) win.
Walsh, who joins fellow Cobden exports - Geelong's Gary Rohan, Essendon's Zach Merrett, Fremantle's Sean Darcy and North Melbourne's Ben Cunnington - on AFL lists showed plenty of skill throughout the game.
The former south-west resident showed why Carlton officials spent the summer raving about him as he showcased his clean disposal, ability to seek out the ball and fitness capability on a hot night in Carlton.
Walsh said after the game he had his sights on pulling on the famous navy blue jumper.
He also said living life in the AFL had still not sunk in.
"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," the midfielder 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."
Walsh showed signs on Thursday night he was starting to form a nice cameo with Blues co-captain Patrick Cripps, who collected 33 disposals and kicked two goals in the win.
The former Geelong Falcons player said he was learning all he could from one of the top midfielders in the game.
"I'm learning heaps and I got to live with 'Crippa' early on and just his professionalism is huge," he said.
"There is no mistake why the best are the best and he puts in a lot of hard work and he is very smart."
Walsh will have one more opportunity to impress when Carlton heads to Morwell on Monday, March 11 to face Collingwood in its final JLT match. The Blues play Richmond in round one on Thursday, March 21.
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