Walsh streets the field to claim Blues’ top award a second time

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh won his second John Nicholls Medal with a club-record 212 votes after a consistent 2023 season where he played every game and ranked fifth in AFL disposals. The strong performances from Walsh and new recruits like Ollie Florent and Jagga Smith highlight Carlton's effective recruitment and player development heading into the next season.

Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh has secured his second John Nicholls Medal, setting a new club record by polling 212 best-and-fairest votes. Walsh’s strong 2023 season marked a significant return to form following previous injury setbacks, as he played in every game and recorded more than 20 disposals in all but one match. His consistent performances included a standout effort in the wildcard final against Melbourne, where he amassed 39 disposals, seven clearances, and eight score involvements.

Walsh’s achievement follows his inaugural win of the John Nicholls Medal in 2021 and coincides with his recent commitment to remain with Carlton for the foreseeable future. He ranked fifth in the Australian Football League (AFL) for disposals this season, registering 30 or more disposals in 12 games.

Ollie Florent, recruited by Carlton during the off-season, finished second in the best-and-fairest count with 177 votes, edging out team captain Patrick Cripps by a single vote. Florent was notable for his consistency, playing every game and leading Carlton in kicks, rebound 50s, and metres gained throughout the year. Cripps, under the guidance of coach Josh Fraser, continued to excel as the league's top clearance winner once again.

Jagga Smith also had a notable season, earning the best young player award and placing fourth in the vote tally with 167 votes. Following Smith was Lachie Cowan, who finished fifth overall with 150 votes.

First-year key defender Harry Dean was recognized by his teammates with the players’ award and received the Bill Lanyon Inner Blue Ruthless Award, highlighting his immediate impact on the team. Additionally, recruit Ben Ainsworth achieved a top-10 finish on the count, placing equal ninth with 126 votes.

Will Hayward, a former Sydney Swans teammate of Florent and Smith, was honored with multiple accolades including the coaches’ award, best clubman, and the Spirit of Carlton award, which is decided by former Carlton players. The strong showings from new recruits and emerging players underscore Carlton’s successful recruitment strategy and overall team development during the 2023 AFL season.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.