Michael Voss is hopeful that Sam Walsh will play next week, after a delayed start to the season from undergoing back surgery last December.

“He’s had some milestones that he’s had to achieve, and we’ve stuck to those milestones.” he said.

“One of those last milestones was being able to train again fully yesterday.”

Walsh’s absence was a blow to Carlton’s midfield.

He averaged 32 disposals and was ranked second in the competition for effective disposals per game during the 2022 AFL season.

But the Blues’ other midfielders stepped up to the challenge with captain Patrick Cripps currently ranked third in the competition for clearances.

Meanwhile, fellow midfielders George Hewett and Matthew Kennedy are averaging 24 disposals per match.

The Blues take on North Melbourne in this year’s Good Friday match, with both clubs and the AFL raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“We’re really grateful as a footy club that we can share in that – we’re really grateful that we get that opportunity,” Voss said.

“We need to play a style of footy that goes out and puts a smile on the faces of our people, and that’s what we want to be able to do.”

He’s expecting North Melbourne to come out firing, following the Roos’ disappointing loss against Hawthorn.

“They probably didn’t get it exactly the way they wanted it last week – we expect them to be quite ferocious,” he said.

North’s midfield will be strengthened by the return of Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke, while the Blues will be hoping to win their third straight game this Friday night.