Kick up bum I needed: Stocker

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 one and cough up nearly 1000 draft points to the Crows.

But the Blues only need to finish 16th and see Adelaide finish eighth next year for the sides to effectively break even, given Adelaide has already handed over pick 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.

“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-7 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.

The Blues 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.

“If you come up against players bigger than you, you need tricks up your sleeve.”