PEEL Thunder draftee Brad Walsh has been delisted by Carlton after just one season at the club despite winning the reserves best and fairest.
Walsh was drafted with selection 24 in the 2014 Rookie Draft and went on to play three AFL games, all as substitute, this season.
Despite spending the majority of the year in the VFL, Walsh made the most of his time winning the Northern Blues best and fairest.
In the process he became the youngest winner (19) of the award in over a decade and the inaugural first-year winner since the Northern Blue’s alignment with Carlton making Carlton’s decision to delist him somewhat surprising.
The tough midfielder captained Western Australia’s under 18 side and played seven League games with Peel Thunder in 2014 before being drafted.
At his AFL Draft Combine Walsh recorded a 2.97-second time for the 20-metre sprint and equalled the sixth fastest time ever recorded at a draft combine in the agility test with a time of 7.88 seconds.
Walsh was one of four players (Robert Warnock, Nick Holman and Tom Fields) delisted by Carlton on Wednesday ahead of club’s final list lodgement on Friday.
Carlton’s head of football Andrew McKay thanked the players for their commitment to the Blues during their time at Ikon Park.
“On behalf of the entire football club we sincerely thank the boys for their contribution, dedication and professionalism to the Carlton Football Club,” McKay said.
“They are wonderful young men and we wish them all the best for the future.
“With these final list changes we now look forward to making the most of our early picks in the upcoming NAB AFL National Draft.”
Carlton supporters went to the club’s Facebook page against the deciosn.
One supporter said: “Walsh is what, 19. Wins VFL best and fairest. We're a rebuilding list and you think blokes that show potential should go?! He better be re-rookied”.
Another said: “I can only assume Walsh will be picked up in the rookie draft. If not, we've fully lost the plot”.
Walsh will be hoping he can continue his AFL career and get drafted in this year’s NAB AFL Draft or Rookie Draft.
