Liam Stocker says he’s working hard on his weaknesses after brutal criticism at draft combine
The midfielder Carlton might sacrifice next year’s No.1 pick for says Richmond’s brutal assessment of his weaknesses has fuelled his desire to make the grade at AFL level.
Carlton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Carlton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The midfielder Carlton might sacrifice next year’s No.1 pick for says Richmond’s brutal assessment of his weaknesses has fuelled his desire to make the grade at AFL level.
Morrish Medallist Liam Stocker was taken at No.19 in Thursday night’s draft in the boldest move of Steve Silvagni’s Carlton list build.
If Carlton again finishes last and Adelaide wins the premiership next year the Blues will hand over pick No.1 and cough up nearly 1000 draft points to the Crows.
BUCKY: EVERY CLUB’S DRAFT HAUL REVIEWED
DRAFT: BLUES GO ALL IN WITH BOMBSHELL MOVE
RULES: DANGER’S DAY 1 DOS, DON’TS FOR DRAFTEES
But the Blues only need to finish 16th and see Adelaide finish eighth next year for the sides effectively break even given Adelaide has already handed over pick No.19.
Stocker is a tough inside mid from the Sandringham Dragons who admits his endurance is nowhere near good enough yet to thrive at AFL level.
Richmond hit him between the eyes at a draft combine interview in October, challenging him on his spread and lack of fitness.
He said after the shock live trade that saw the teams swap 2019 first-rounders and Adelaide hand over this year’s pick 19 he was ready to vindicate Carlton’s faith.
“I had a pretty confronting interview with Richmond at the combine. They struck me on my weaknesses through the season and it was defensive transition,’’ he said.
“I took that to heart and went through a mini pre-season in the last month or so. I needed a kick up the bum to get into gear, so that had made me doubt in my mind if Richmond could pick me.
SEE WHAT CARLTON HAVE TO DO NEXT YEAR TO WIN THE DRAFT DAY TRADE WITH ADELAIDE BELOW
“I am a heavy inside contested mid for now (85kg, 183cm) and my endurance has long been something people have criticised me on.
“I am slowly getting better and breaking my jaw then injuring my shoulder going into finals made that tough.
‘But I ran a sub seven minute (2km time trial) last week which shows my improvement from pre-season. It’s not at AFL standard yet but it shows I can improve.”
Carlton rated Stocker at between 5-10 on their 2018 draft board after he averaged 22 disposals and 5.6 clearances in a year where he missed the national championships with injury.
They believe they can surge up the ladder as Sam Walsh, Mitch McGovern, Will Setterfield and returning captain Sam Docherty make an impact.
Stocker was handed his Carlton jumper by Blues director Chris Judd but it was the new co-captain he has stalked this year.
“I picked a couple of inside mids in the competition and picked what they do in games,” he said.
“Patty Cripps was a big one for me and I watched how he used his legs and arms behind players. We really developed a trick book to work at stoppages.
“So whether I was slipping players at stoppages to throw them out of my way. If you come up against players bigger than you, you need tricks up your sleeve.
“I have got in front of a few boys in terms of my physical work but my endurance work still has to come on with some of the other boys ahead of me.”
What Carlton have to do to justify trading up for Liam Stocker
Carlton and Adelaide swapped 2019 first-round picks while the Blues got the Crows’ pick No.19 this year.
WORST CASE FOR CARLTON
Finishes last and Adelaide wins the 2019 premiership.
The Blues hand over pick 1 (worth 3000 points) and after getting back Adelaide’s 2018 pick No.19 (948 points) and 2019 pick No.18 (985 points) they are more than 1000 points in deficit.
West Coast’s first pick this year (traded to the Suns) drifted out to 23, so it could even be worse for the Blues.
BREAK EVEN
Carlton finishes 16th in 2019 and Adelaide finishes eighth.
Carlton would hand over 2234 points for its 2019 No.3 pick, but get 1329 points for Adelaide’s 2019 pick (No.11) and 948 points for the No.19.
The Blues would finish 43 points ahead, even if coughing up pick No.3 would sting.
WIN FOR CARLTON
Adelaide finish 2019 in eighth spot and Carlton jump to ninth
Carlton only hands over 1395 points for a 2019 No.10 pick, while Adelaide gives back pick 11 (1329 points) and the 948 points from the this year’s pick 19.
Carlton ends up 1014 points in front.
Originally published as Liam Stocker says he’s working hard on his weaknesses after brutal criticism at draft combine
Kouta’s call on Blues’ presidency amid links to former AFL boss
After a failed tilt to become Lord Mayor of Melbourne, could Kouta’s next role be back at the club that made him famous? The running for the top job at the Blues is starting to become clearer.
Track watch: Match sim reveals more Blues clues, Walsh timeline
Sam Walsh put in the hard yards at Carlton training on Monday as he pushes hard in a bid to play next month. But it’s how the Blues lined up without him that really caught the eye.