Carlton gives up potential top two selection in next year’s draft for Liam Stocker after live trade with Adelaide

Carlton may have given away a potential top two pick at next year’s draft following a shock live trade with Adelaide which spoiled Richmond’s draft plans.

Liam Stocker claimed the 2018 Morrish Medal.

Liam Stocker can breathe easy.

The inside midfielder had his draft dream answered by Carlton and next week he will get to work learning from superstar Patrick Cripps.

Stocker grew up in Beijing and Hong Kong — where his family was forced to relocate to avoid air pollution — but will call Ikon Park home for at least the next two years.

HUGE CALL: BLUES GO ALL-IN WITH BOMBSHELL MOVE

DRAFT RECAP: BLUES MAKE SAM THE NO.1 MAN

COMMENT: CARLTON SAVES DAY AFTER ‘BORING’ NIGHT

“I had pretty terrible asthma when I was four or five and so we had to move to where the pollution was lowest in Hong Kong,” Stocker told the Herald Sun.

“We found ourselves living in Stanley. I preferred Hong Kong over Beijing, because there was more grass.”

Liam Stocker is presented with his Carlton jumper by Chris Judd. Picture: AAP

Stocker was recently interviewed by Hawthorn and it is believed the Hawks considered trading their future first-round pick to land one of this season’s big improvers.

But the Blues swooped at No.19, trading away their future first-round pick to Adelaide to pinch Stocker before Richmond.

Carlton also received a future first-round pick from the Crows in the live trade.

Stocker broke his jaw this season and surgery ruled him out of Vic Metro’s national championships.

Before the injury he averaged only 18 disposals, 10 contested possessions and four clearances in six TAC Cup games.

When Stocker returned he knew he had to get a wriggle on. And that he did.

Carlton potentially trades away next year’s No.1 pick in a deal for inside midfielder Liam Stocker.

If Blues get the 2019 wooden spoon, Adelaide gets the No.1 pick. Blues get Crows’ first-round pick back. Wow.

Richmond wanted Liam Stocker and Hawthorn met him last week.

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) November 22, 2018

The Haileybury College kid averaged 25 disposals, 14 contested possessions and six clearances in his final nine matches as Stocker stormed home to win the TAC Cup’s Morrish Medal.

“I’m not really fit enough to be an outside mid, so I base myself on the inside and try and get as many clearances as I can,” Stocker said.

“My explosion from stoppages is my main strength, and contested dominance.”

Across the whole season Stocker ranked in the TAC Cup’s top five players for contested ball and clearances.

Still, the query clubs had on Stocker was his fitness. Can he build the tank required for AFL level?

The Blues nabbed Liam Stocker after trading their first-round selection to Adelaide. Picture: Jason Samon

Stocker’s family shifted to Beijing when he was just four months old and only returned to Australia in 2010.

Before that an AFL career seemed a world away.

“I do remember kicking the footy on the concrete in Hong Kong,” the 183cm stoppage star said.

“But I always thought of footy as the Australian game and I never really thought I was coming back to Australia.

“I never really considered it until I had to make friends when I first came over here, so footy was the first option.

“I think I was in love with it from Hong Kong but never really had the opportunity to play it.”