Tom Williamson Biography

Tom Williamson takes indefinite leave from Carlton.

"It has been agreed by all parties that it would be best that Williamson takes extended time away from the football club, to focus on his wellbeing and ultimately address his personal issues," a statement from the Blues read.

"The wellbeing and the health and safety of all remains the club's priority and due to the sensitive nature of this matter, the club is not in a position to provide any further comment at this stage."

Tom Williamson signs a new two-year deal with Carlton to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

Carlton is prepared to bide its time with young defender Tom Williamson, who is still being managed through a gruelling recovery from a debilitating back injury.

Williamson, 20, has been kept off the park for the best part of 18 months because of the troublesome injury, stalling a promising start to his career at Ikon Park.

"I think now, on the back of a year or so of that, he's starting to understand his body," Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.

"Some players can do that a lot quicker than others. It's taken some time for 'Willo', and that's just the development of a young player."

Tom Williamson is expected to miss the remainder of the season after a back injury.

The 19-year-old defender, who had already suffered a back complaint earlier in the season, suffered a knock and landed awkwardly in the VFL.

"As a result, his back spasmed," Carlton head of football Andrew McKay said.

"We got it scanned on Sunday which has revealed a bit of a hotspot in his back so we're going to be really conservative in his treatment and recovery."

Carlton has agreed to two-year contract extensions for first year defenders Tom Williamson and Harrison Macreadie, ensuring they will remain at the club until 2020.

"Harrison and Tom have both shown exciting signs after making their senior debuts this season. They are young and still developing their game but their attitude suggests they will continue to improve over the coming years," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

Tom Williamson makes his AFL debut for Carlton at the MCG with 15 disposals (9 kicks and 6 handballs), 2 marks and 5 tackles in a 15-point win over Essendon.

Stephen Kernahan, captain of Carlton's Team of the Century, was in the Blues' rooms to present a guernsey to debutant Tom Williamson and spoke with typical passion about what it meant to represent his beloved club.

Carlton then went on to beat Essendon by 15 points in an upset win at the MCG.

"It was a really important moment for us before the game when (Stephen) 'Sticks' Kernahan came in and presented young WiIliamson with a guernsey and just told him what it means to play for our club, and I reckon a little bit of that spirit rubbed off," Bolton told reporters post-match.

Carlton select Tom Williamson with pick No.61 in the 2016 National Draft.

"He's very young and is a very good kick, has really good endurance and can play outside," Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"I think if he was born a couple of weeks later he would have qualified for next year's draft and might have even gone through the midfield a bit."