The AFL Opening Round hopes of Sam Walsh appear all but over after he missed Carlton training on Sunday, battling an ongoing back injury that has seen him sidelined from all pre-season matches.
Walsh has been struggling with back troubles for over a year now, after his major surgery 14 months ago.
The 23-year-old was ruled out of the Blues' 17-point loss to Geelong in their first practice match, missing the following week against Melbourne.
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The midfielder did take part in some light running during Sunday's session at IKON Park, but his troubles kept him training indoors away from the main group.
The rest of the Carlton squad will head north this week to face preliminary final foes Brisbane in a rematch of their 2023 encounter, which the Blues lost by 16 points.
"Obviously returning to the scene of the crime in a way," Blues defender Nic Newman said on Sunday.
The side hasn't reviewed the heartbreaking loss, but is adamant it's made the improvements to challenge last year's runners up.
"We showed (in) that last game that we're definitely capable and it's probably just doing it for longer," Newman said.
"We want to be a really consistent home-and-away side that performs week in, week out.
Last week, Carlton assistant coach Jordan Russell provided an update on Walsh's condition ahead of the season, saying the club will take it slow to ensure the 2021 All-Australian can be at his fittest as their flag search continues.
"It's a grumbly one. They're still trying to figure out exactly what's going on," Russell said on SEN radio.
Carlton will be chasing a record-breaking 17th V/AFL flag in 2024, now 29 years on from its last taste of success in 1995.
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