Sam Walsh was elevated to Carlton’s leadership group on Monday following an outstanding debut season.
Walsh, 19, broke the record for the most disposals by a first-year player, finishing the season with 554 possessions at an average of 25.18 per match.
Last year’s Rising Star winner and former No.1 draft pick has been touted as a future Blues captain having skippered Vic Country and the AFL Academy side in his draft year in 2018.
Speaking on SEN's Bob and Andy, Western Bulldogs great Bob Murphy would prefer to see the second-year midfielder focus on his development before eventually taking on leadership roles.
“I just think he (Walsh) is going to be there a long time,” Murphy said.
“Just let him be a young bloke and find his feet. Clearly he is going to be a leader but I think (in his) second year just let him find his feet.
“He is a lead by example young player, he’s not going to change any of that.”
Australian Football Hall of Famer Terry Wallace has no issue with Walsh’s leadership elevation.
“Personally, I don’t have any issue whatsoever with it,” Wallace said.
“I think it actually gives a little bit of direction to the young guys … if you present yourself properly, that’s what opportunities are there.”
Walsh's teammate Liam Jones suggested that the promising midfielder is someone who the club's youngsters can aim to be like, further endorsing his elevation to the leadership group.
“He’s been quite remarkable,” said Jones.
“What I’ve seen, within a couple of months, he’s just so professional.
“His work rate and his work ethic is something that everyone looks up to.
“Even as a young player, he’s going to be a role model especially for the younger guys coming through, that if you do work hard enough all these good things can happen.”
Liam Jones, Jacob Weitering, Ed Curnow, Marc Murphy, Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty make up the rest of Carlton’s seven-man leadership group for 2020.
Listen to the best bits of Monday's edition of SEN’s Bob and Andy in the player below