Sam Walsh heads to the world-renowned Aspetar sports medical clinic, as reported by AFL.com.au’s Callum Twomey.

By Callum Twomey for AFL.com.au

CARLTON star Sam Walsh has headed to Doha for a short stint at a world-renowned sports fitness facility as he looks to hit the Blues’ pre-season in top shape.

Walsh returned at the end of the season after an injury-hit year that started with a hamstring strain and included a foot fracture. 

The Blues’ vice-captain showed his class at the end of the season when back in the line up and has travelled to Qatar to this week pick up some more guidance and information about his body after the Blues found success in fellow midfielder Adam Cerra going there last off-season.

The Aspetar sports medical clinic, which has been a staple for international athletes, has dedicated and individualised training programs which provide information about previous injuries and management programs.  

“For me, the project of 2025 started as soon as the off-season started.”

The extreme frustration, the search for answers, the drive to bring his absolute best to his team.

The result? An intensive training week in Doha. Adam Cerra covers it all in the latest Friday Feature.

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) December 12, 2024

“It’s an incredible facility, unlimited resources, seeing specialists and trying to find more answers to get on top of the struggles I had this year,” Cerra said about his trip in the 2024 off-season.

“They really push you and challenge you and try to find the deficits in your body, what happens when it starts to fail. We were able to find out a lot, which was super pleasing, and it has found areas for me to work on physically.”

Walsh played 14 games in 2025, the lowest tally of his career, but he returned in strong shape at the end of the year, with the trip considered a chance to hone his training ahead of the summer. 

Many AFL players have used the Doha facility in recent seasons, including Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey last year, as well as Fremantle’s Sean Darcy, Richmond’s Josh Gibcus and Hawthorn’s Changkuoth Jiath.