CARLTON’s pair of first-round draftees will set their pre-season sights on potential Round 1 debuts.

While knowing and acknowledging it’s a long road ahead, Sam Walsh and Liam Stocker are keen to don the navy blue at the earliest possible opportunity.

After being taken with picks Nos.1 and 19 respectively, the new Blues both want to experience the thrill of the season opener.

“I want to play Round 1, that’s the goal. I’ll train hard and hopefully I can try and achieve that,” Walsh said to media yesterday.

“It’s certainly my goal as well. I’ll work through it with Bolts and figure out what I need to do,” Stocker said.

“I might have a bit more to go compared to Sammy.”

Carlton’s draftees reported for their first training session of pre-season yesterday, signifying the start of an exciting time for both the individuals and the Club.

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Having met the likes of Marc Murphy and Robert Walls, the No.1 pick said he was intent on earning the respect of his peers.

“When you get to a club, no-one really cares about what number pick you are,” Walsh said.

“I’m here to earn everyone’s respect… [The expectation] definitely does step up, but I focus on things I can control and go from there.”

Pre-season started a little early for Walsh’s counterpart Stocker, who mirrored the program of his former Sandringham Dragons teammate Angus Brayshaw.

After having the eyes of the football world on him late last week, Stocker said he was aiming to repay the faith Carlton showed in him on draft night.

“What ‘Bolts’ and SOS said to me afterwards really instilled some confidence in me,” Stocker said.

“It’s certainly a vote of confidence… I can’t help but to repay that. However my career goes, I won’t leave a stone unturned.”