All-Australian midfielder Sam Walsh has signed a four-year contract extension with Carlton in a significant boost for the AFL club.
The 21-year-old star, who still had one season left to run on his existing deal, is now tied to the Blues until the end of 2026 - when he will become a restricted free agent.
Walsh, the No.1 draft pick in 2018, has already been elevated to joint vice-captain with Jacob Weitering in a streamlined leadership group with captain Patrick Cripps.
The trio are crucial figures in Carlton's attempt to climb the ladder under new coach Michael Voss, and are now all committed to the club long-term.
Walsh's signature comes after Cripps and Weitering signed new deals tying them to the Blues until the end of 2027 and 2025 respectively.
The Blues will now be eager to get similar long-term commitments from key forwards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, who are both out of contract at the end of next year.
"The decision could not have been easier for me," Walsh said.
"Our club has a clear direction, strong leadership, as a playing group we know what we want to achieve and I want to do everything I possibly can to get us there.
"From the moment I got drafted this football club has been amazing for me and my family, that includes our members and supporters, I am so grateful for how they've embraced me from day one.
"I've never taken for granted what it means to pull on that navy blue guernsey, it represents so much to so many people.
"We have a real focus to make Carlton people proud, earn respect back for this football club and everyone we represent, and I am very excited to be part of that, not only this season but for years to come."
Walsh has played all 61 possible games with Carlton since being drafted and was named an All-Australian for the first time in 2021.
He finished fourth in last year's Brownlow Medal count with 30 votes, the equal highest tally polled by any Carlton player in history.
Meanwhile, Collingwood have re-signed running defender Isaac Quaynor for a further three seasons, through to the end of 2025.
The 22-year-old was a first-round selection in the 2018 draft and has played 35 games for the Magpies.
Hawthorn have locked up the services of emerging defender Denver Grainger-Barras on a new two-year deal until the end of 2024.
The 19-year-old was sidelined by a knee injury for most of last year but played five games late in the season and will get more opportunities to develop under new coach Sam Mitchell in 2022.
