Top pick Walsh one of six new Blues in AFL

Carlton will have six new players in their line-up when they take on Richmond in the AFL season opener at the MCG.

No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh is one of six new faces Carlton will unveil in the AFL season opener against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday night.

Walsh hasn't put a foot wrong since he joined the Blues as the top pick at last year's draft and will make a much-anticipated AFL debut against the Tigers.

Coach Brendon Bolton confirmed on Wednesday that mature-aged rookie Michael Gibbons will also make his AFL debut, with experienced recruits Mitch McGovern, Alex Fasolo, Will Setterfield and Nic Newman to play their first games for the club.