Former Blue Liam Stocker admits he was “shocked” by Carlton’s decision to delist him and he was sent into “self-preservation mode” to cope with the ordeal.
Blues supporters and the footy community alike reacted with surprise when in early September Stocker wasn’t offered a contract for 2023.
It came after four injury-interrupted years at Ikon Park, with the former first-round pick unable to put his best foot forward.
Stocker revealed he was “really sad” about the decision and had to leave the club to process the news, but added there’s “a lot to be grateful for”.
“I had to go into self-preservation mode a bit (when I was told),” the 22-year-old told SEN’s The Run Home.
“I was pretty shocked, I went in there thinking I probably deserve another year or two here, I felt like I’d been pretty selfless in the roles I’d taken up over the last three or four years, and for the most part, I just feel like I had a lot to offer
“But that’s sort of by the by, footy clubs have got to make the decision, so for me, in terms of that self-preservation, it was just, ‘alright, thanks guys, I’ll say my goodbyes now but clean your locker out and I won’t be back’.
“I think for me what would have been the most dangerous thing is coming back, I really respect the Carlton supporters for the most part, they made my time there really enjoyable, I don’t want to tarnish anything I was given in those four years so for me, it was about taking the emotion out of it a bit and getting to a safe place where I could think it through. That was at home for me with my girlfriend and my family.”
Stocker managed just 28 games at Carlton, including just six this season when spending much of the year in the VFL.
It was revealed after the delisting that Carlton believed his fitness and ball use just weren’t up to scratch.
However, Stocker himself described those claims as “rubbish”, suggesting he has the ability to evolve into a full-time midfielder, a position the Blues were reluctant to play him.
“The notion that I’m not fit enough to play AFL football is rubbish, I know I can run, I ran a 6.30 two-kilometre in pre-season which is the equivalent of what most other midfielders are running as well,” he added.
“From that point of view, if that’s my main weakness, I’ve got it to a point where it’s not as standout as it used to be.
“I think for the most part my ability to lock down on players and beat them in a contest is what stands out across the ground. I think being in a contest more often is what suits me.
“I’m willing to play that lockdown role if it means I’m doing the job for a team, I don’t really mind, I think I’m an asset all over the ground.”
He added: “But also I think I’m an asset off the field.
“Clubs aren’t going to pick you up just because you’re an asset off the field, that’s a silly notion to think that but I think for the most part I’m quite valuable for culture and quite valuable in terms of the roles I can play.”
Former Kangaroos coach David Noble believes players of Stockers type are “invaluable”, while Essendon is believed to have an interest in recruiting him for 2023.