“IT can’t be any different: I’ve got to make the most of the time I’ve got left this year.”

Liam Stocker isn’t resting on his laurels in his debut season in Navy Blue, despite being sidelined for the last month.

The impressive first-year Blue burst onto the scene with five consecutive games back in May, before a foot injury brought his initial taste of AFL to a halt.

Tracking to return from that foot injury in the next few weeks, Stocker - speaking to Breakfast with the WA Blues - said he still had his sights on adding to his senior games tally by the time the season was out.

And the 19-year-old credited the Director of High Performance with his ability to get up for games in year No.1.

“[Andrew Russell] has had a massive role — it can’t be understated how important he is,” Stocker said.

“I think his role in my mental capabilities as much as my physical has changed the way I play my football.

“[The foot] is going really well… I’ve started reconditioning now. Hopefully I’ve got a few games left in me this year.”

Averaging over 13 disposals across half-back in his first five games, Stocker found his home in a different role after spending the majority of his time in underage football as a midfielder.

Hopeful of having stints in the clinches at some stage this season, Stocker - who cited Lenny Hayes and Chris Judd as his football idols - said he has always had a “super-competitive” edge.

“I don’t think I’ve ever taken it across the line and I pride myself on being quite honest and authentic,” he said.

“That competitive nature is what has got me this far in football so far… the way my football journey has gone, I’ve always had plenty of criticism.”

That chatter has come for the first-year Blue in unprecedented fashion, after he was part of a historic live trade in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.

However, he said while he heard the external noise, the main thing he would associate himself was the advice and conversation coming inside the four walls of Ikon Park.

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“I think [the talk] crossed my mind early and the most concerning thing about it was once it gets into your head, I start catastrophising and everyone gets worried about me and it’s needless,” he said.

“One thing I have understood - and if I can get it across to as many people as possible - is people commenting in the media don’t have any idea what’s going on inside the four walls.

“I’m only concerned with the opinions and the perceptions of me inside the four walls of the Club and with the supporters. I’m not particularly worried if so and so thinks the trade is a fail or whether it’s a pass.

“I’m at the Carlton Football Club, the trade has been done and there’s nothing I can do about it: all I can do is go as hard as possible and try and earn the respect.”