IF 2021 was a year of frustration for Sam Philp, he’s seeing 2022 as one of opportunity.

For someone who had gotten an all-too-brief taste of senior football in his debut campaign of 2020, and someone who lives and breathes the game as much as he does, it’s no surprise that the 20-year-old couldn’t wait to be back in the swing of things when pre-season rolled around.

It was a persistent groin issue which curtailed Philp’s previous campaign, with the speedster managing only two VFL games before the conservative option was taken in May to withdraw him from the remainder of the season.

Speaking on the struggles of last year but his excitement for the upcoming campaign, Philp told Carlton Media of his steady progression so far this summer.

“I’m in a good spot,” Philp said.

“I missed all of last year with some ongoing groin issues, I just couldn’t seem to get it right. We took the long-term approach in ruling me out and I’ve built up some really good strength around my groin and hips.

“I’m feeling really strong, really robust out on the track and it’s helped me a fair bit. I was on a fairly modified program before December, doing just over half the sessions, where I did about 80 per cent of the session [on Saturday] which was one of the biggest so far.”

Philp doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of the last 12 months, resigned to watching on as his teammates were put through their paces both in training and on matchdays.

However, the benefit of hindsight has him believing that his rough run could very much be the making of him despite the second-year blues.

Philp – who has been training as a high half-forward, in the view to split his time evenly between that position and on the wing - articulated that, looking back now, “it’s probably really helpful for me”.

“I did struggle a bit last year. I was off my legs for a couple of months and I found that pretty difficult… all you want to do is be playing,” he said.

“I feel like although it was frustrating, I look back now and I’m pretty grateful for the time I’ve been able to spend with the physios to help build my body up to handle the game.

“I know doing all that strength work, I look at it as the bigger picture – it’s obviously been a fairly long time, but I feel like it has set me up for a really strong next few years.

“I know [Andrew] ‘Jack’ Russell notices some good differences in my body as an athlete, so I feel like I’m in a good spot.”

For Philp, he’s hoping that the gradual build-up and return to training will hold him in good stead as he looks to get the games column ticking over.

His first game came in a one-point win over Essendon, while his first goal was registered a week later against St Kilda. Regrettably, both took place in front of an empty MCG and Marvel Stadium respectively.

When he runs out for game No.3 in the Navy Blue, the prospect of having his family, friends and Carlton supporters in the stands is an item at the very top of his bucket list.

“It has been a long time between drinks: I’m really keen,” he said.

“Both of those games I played were in front of no crowds, so it was a shame to not have family and friends there. That’s something I’m really pushing towards.

“There’s obviously a lot of work to do between now and then, but I’ll just keep putting in the work: hopefully it’ll pay off and I’ll get that chance.”