Sam Walsh’s manager Scott Lucas says there’s “no rush” from their end to extend his Carlton contract.
Walsh, who finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal and is already one of the AFL’s best midfielders at the age of 21, comes out of contract next year and is set for a big payday after his outstanding start to his career.
“I’m sure there will be speculation, that seems to be par for the course with any really good player that doesn’t sign up even a year or two in advance of when their contract expires,” Phoenix Management Group CEO Lucas told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“He’s really enjoyed his time at the Carlton Football Club, there’s no rush from our end, but in saying that there’s no issue either.”
Have Carlton approached Lucas about extending Walsh’s contract beyond 2022?
“Yeah, they’ve had a chat,” the Essendon champion said.
“I guess from our point of view, right now and over the last couple of months the priority is about the guys that might be delisted or be on the trade table this year.
“So you’re trying your best to sort that out and to help those guy’s careers continue. And then you have the uncertainty at Carlton … throughout the year there was a lot of uncertainty unfortunately for those players.
“I think any player wants to see where it all lands before they commit long-term.”
Kane Cornes asked Lucas: “Do you give a deadline? Or is it an ongoing conversation that’s always open?”
To which he replied: “At times you do, but that’s more if it got to the start of next year and you haven’t done anything that you might put a deadline on it.
“But right now, there’s no games being played for the next six months, so there’s no rush.
“Players are away, they like to have an off-season and not think about.
“I’m sure come before Christmas if they’re back training or within the months after Christmas, we’ll have a bit more of a chat about it, but certainly no rush from our end and I don’t think there’s a rush from Carlton’s end.”
Walsh averaged just under 30 disposals and 4.8 clearances in 2021.
The star Blue polled 30 votes in this year’s Brownlow Medal – the equal-most votes ever recorded by any Carlton player.
He is expected to win his first club best and fairest this year.