WHAT a first 50 it's been for Sam Walsh.

This Sunday, the youngster will become just the ninth Blue to reach a half century of games uninterrupted after his debut.

It's been a career so far which has been littered with accolades: here are some of the best of them.

No.1 pick: 2018 NAB AFL Draft

In a class since dubbed as a ‘super draft’ in waiting, Walsh was the unanimous pick of the bunch when he was selected with the first pick by Carlton back in November 2018. With the likes of Lukosius, Rankine, Rozee and the King brothers selected around him, Walsh’s Navy Blue journey was set in motion when he was handed his first guernsey by newly appointed co-captains, Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty.

AFL debut: Round 1, 2019

After whetting the Navy Blue appetite in pre-season, Walsh proved he very much belonged at the elite level when he fronted up in front of over 85,000 people in the season opener against Richmond. Collecting 24 disposals and five inside 50s against a team which went on to win its second premiership in three years was a perfect prelude of what was to come for Carlton’s No.18.

First Brownlow votes: Round 12, 2019

In a game most fondly remembered for the virtuoso performance of Patrick Cripps in David Teague’s first match in charge, it was Walsh who proved to be the Robin to his co-captain’s Batman against Brisbane in Round 12 of the 2019 season. Coming up against the team he supported as a kid, Walsh willed himself to every contest as the Blues overturned a 37-point deficit into a memorable win at Marvel Stadium. His 32 disposals and six clearances were enough to warrant his first two Brownlow votes.

2019 NAB AFL Rising Star, 2019 AFLPA Best First-Year Player

We’ll merge these into one entry, shall we? In a season which saw him accumulate the most disposals ever of any first-year player, Walsh fell just one vote short of polling the perfect 50 on the way to becoming Carlton’s first NAB AFL Rising Star while completing the Navy Blue double alongside Madison Prespakis in the AFLW competition. The accolades didn’t stop there in a busy post-season for Walsh, who was also acknowledged as the best debutant in the competition by his peers across the AFL.

Leadership group induction: February 2020

Walsh’s standing at IKON Park and the esteem he is held in by his teammates was arguably best represented when he was voted into the Club’s leadership group ahead of just his second season at the level. The youngster’s leadership credentials were prevalent even before arriving on Royal Parade, having achieved the captaincy trifecta in his top-age draft year after being the captain of the Geelong Falcons, Vic Country and the NAB AFL Academy.

Mark of the Year: Round 7, 2020

He wasn’t officially awarded the honour until the culmination of the season, but those watching on when Walsh ran back with the flight against Port Adelaide knew they had witnessed something special. Just when his team needed a lift against the eventual minor premiers, Walsh showed little regard for his own safety when he soared into oncoming traffic - including a red-hot Charlie Dixon - and clunked onto as courageous a mark as you'll ever.

AFLCA Best Young Player

Completing the 'best young player' trifecta, Walsh received the gong from the coaches when he was awarded the AFLCA Best Young Player honour at the conclusion of last season. Determined by the player who accrues the most coaches' votes over a two-year period, Walsh collected 64 over the 2019 and 2020 seasons: 31 votes more than the runner-up.

22under22: 2019 and 2020

There was never really any doubt about Walsh's selection in these two teams. Walsh joined fellow young leader Jacob Weitering in consecutive 22under22 teams, with his 2019 coming with more time in the centre while his second half to 2020 was as strong as anyone on a wing. Given his start to the season this time around, a 22under22 hat-trick looks well and truly in the reckoning for Walsh.

Runner-up: 2020 John Nicholls Medal

While the predictions on the night centred around Jacob Weitering, Walsh came home with a bullet in the 2020 John Nicholls Medal to ultimately finish at the runner up to his fellow No.1 draft pick. Walsh was outside the top five with just six games remaining, but his final month of the campaign saw him finish just 11 votes shy to end his second campaign with his first podium finish.