For the Blues to vault into the top eight, they know they need more help for Patrick Cripps in the stoppage furnace, and Walsh – having gained muscle over summer – is the man who can win the hard ball but also provide run and carry. Already tipped by club insiders as a future captain, the on-field smarts of the former Geelong Falcon are also a highlight, with Tigers coach Damien Hardwick noting “the game comes to him”.

“He is the sort of young fella that wants to challenge himself anyway. The great thing is he is prepared to play where the coach thinks they need him at the time,” O’Sullivan, now running the Blues’ past players association, said.

Asked if Walsh could ultimately be remembered as a great alongside the likes of Greg Williams, Craig Bradley and Judd, O’Sullivan was unequivocal.

“In his first two years, fourth in the best and fairest and second, particularly last year, it’s not as if we are a bottom of the ladder team anymore, we are an emerging team, for someone so young to be in that bracket, he could be anything,” he said.

Blues great Williams spent time with Walsh through the 2020 pre-season when working as a part-time skills coach and marvelled at his youthful zest.

Loading

“He is amazing, that kid ... it’s really funny, he plays a game, then comes out on the Sunday and Monday and it’s like he hasn’t played a game,” he said on SEN radio.

“He has got that motor, that energy, it’s just amazing.”

During last week’s clash, St Kilda Nick Riewoldt declared on Fox Footy that Walsh “looked absolutely complete as a midfielder” while Garry Lyon praised his toughness and class and noted he was “clean below his knees” in terms of how he did not fumble when taking possession.