Foot fault: star's setback a blow for battling Blues
Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with a foot injury.
Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot.
Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle.
The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20.
That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19.
Ready to fly.Perth, 🔜. pic.twitter.com/Vo9Pqae0Lx
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 13, 2025
Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight.
Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast.
"Sam was unable to complete yesterday's main training session after reporting soreness in his foot," Carlton's football manager Brad Lloyd said.
"Sam will need a period of recovery to allow his foot to settle before his he able to return to play."
Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness.
West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week.
Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side.
Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs.
Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night.
McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career.
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