Liam Stocker | 2021 Season Review
Written by Ari Stamatakos
SEASON SYNOPSIS
Liam Stocker was a secret waiting to explode. After not making an appearance in 2020, and leaving the hub for personal reasons, Stock was at the forefront of everyone’s mind as to whether he would even play this year. He wasn’t selected for the first 5 rounds of the year, but at the first chance he got, he made his name known in the VFL. Having 38 disposals, kicking a goal, having 9 rebound 50’s and 5 inside 50’. That was the performance that made him a lock for round 6. He was included and didn’t miss a game from then. Performing very well as a defender, memorable moments include a ripping bump on Brody Mihocek - in which he is still deep in MCG pocket crying in pain -, a ripper goal from 50 in that same game, and constantly starting fights and backing up his teammates at every opportunity.
BEST PERFORMANCE
He saved the best till last. The definition of a dead-rubber faced the Blues in round 23 against the Giants - and if there is one man who was always going to fight till the very end, it’s Liam Stocker. He - as he always does - gave everything till the final siren and was a real shining light for the Blues, on a pretty unassuming night.
He had 23 disposals, 4 marks, 527 metres gained, 6 rebound 50’s, 5 once percenters, 5 intercept possessions and most interesting 2 clearances. On a melancholy night for the Blues, he was one of the very few who provided us with something to cheer about. With all his disposals coming in the defensive half of the ground, he still managed to gather 2 clearances, the most from any defender on the day for the Blues. This adds further fuel to the fire, which was set by the desperate pleas of ‘Stock’ to be put into the midfielder. Despite his only tackle on the night, he provided grunt and physicality which is majorly missed in a Carlton midfield that lost the clearances count 34-43.
Special mention as well to Stock for staying with a prone TDK whilst he was reeling on the floor after making harsh contact with the ground after taking a ripper mark. The Perfect Team-Mate
OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK
This pre-season could prove to be defining for Liam Stocker’s AFL career. He has shown that he has all the talent and footballing smarts to play in the midfield. He possesses a beautiful kick - on both feet - the hit to hurt attitude and the footballing smarts to become a very handy, dynamic midfielder. If he can break into guts over the pre-season, his potential could finally be realised.
If he can’t - and the potential acquisition of Adam Cerra might make it harder - then it won’t be all doom and gloom. He has proven to be more than an adequate defender. He has been exposed due to very poor coaching, as he was put on the likes of Liam Ryan and Luke Brust at times during the year, which makes him look alot worse than he is. These matchups have brutalised his confidence, and how he is perceived by the football public. If he is given more reasonable matchups, as well as the license to roam forward and be the damaging player we know he can be, then despite him playing in defence, we will see an absolute gun playing in the Navy Blue.
2021 REPORT CARD RATING
B
STATUS HEADING INTO 2022
Consistent 22.
