Thunder welcome back Walsh

FORMER Carlton rookie Brad Walsh has returned to Peel Thunder.

The Rockingham product was delisted by the Blues despite breaking through for three games off the rookie list last season.

Walsh made his debut against Fremantle in front of his family and friends in Round 16, and started all three games in the green vest.

He was outstanding for Carlton’s VFL affiliate in 2015, winning the Northern Blues’ best and fairest as the youngest player to do so in over a decade.

Peel Thunder Head Coach, Cam Shepherd  is delighted that Walsh has returned back to Peel Thunder saying, “ We recognised that Brad has had a very good year with the Northern Blues, and welcome him back to develop his football, and hopefully give him another chance at an AFL career”

Playing in the Blues’ engine room, Walsh didn’t drop below 18 disposals for the season and was in his side’s top six ball-winners every week.

Walsh played seven games as a 17-year-old for Peel’s League side, and showed plenty of potential in the clinches.

A natural leader, Walsh captained WA’s under-18s side in 2014 year at the National Championships, the AIS-AFL Academy on the European tour, and also WA’s under-16s to a championship in 2012.

His performance with the Academy saw him finish second in the Ben Mitchell Medal as the player who best embodies team values in the Academy, and was regarded as one of the best leaders in last year’s draft cohort.

The big-bodied midfielder thrives in congestion and is a clearance machine, and Peel coach Cam Shepherd said he would be a great addition to the Thunder midfield following the retirement of skipper Brendon Jones.