NOVEMBER is just around the corner.

For fans of Carlton’s AFL team, that means two things: an eye on pre-season and a look towards the NAB AFL Draft.

Those who are coming back for their second summers at Ikon Park are likely to have a bigger say in Carlton’s fortunes come 2020.

There’s enough been said about Sam Walsh: the 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will only get better from here.

It’s an exciting prospect for all those with a Navy Blue lens, with Walsh looking to build on a quite extraordinary debut season which saw records broken left, right and centre.

However, there are his fellow members from the 2018 draft class who will similarly be looking to forge their own path at Ikon Park.

Look no further than Liam Stocker.

A first-round draft pick just under 12 months ago, Stocker looked set for an impressive debut season before injury cut him down before he get going.

Eyeing off more midfield time, the youngster proved his ball-winning ability late in the year for the Northern Blues and showed he wasn’t afraid of the big occasion. If anything, his best game came against Collingwood at the MCG in front of 80,000 people.

With Carlton’s youngsters challenged to own the future, Stocker can look to players such as Sam Petrevski-Seton, Harry McKay and Zac Fisher — teammates who have made big strides year-on-year.

At the other end is Michael Gibbons, who made the most of his chance at AFL level which he waited years for.

With his first full pre-season to come and after his first year in the elite environment, Gibbons will undoubtedly be looking to add to his debut season which yielded 16 goals from 21 games.

Like Stocker, it wouldn’t surprise if the two-time J.J. Liston Trophy winner has his eyes on more midfield time.

Then, there’s the untried at senior level from the 2018 draft.

Ben Silvagni showed his potential at both ends in the VFL, Matthew Cottrell’s running prowess will only improve and Finbar O’Dwyer will have his eyes on continuity and development after an interrupted debut season.

Ones to watch? There’s no shortage in season 2020.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the 2017 draft instalment.

2018 draft class

Sam Walsh (22 career games), Liam Stocker (six games), Finbar O’Dwyer, Ben Silvagni, Michael Gibbons (21 games), Matthew Cottrell

Hugh Goddard was a mature-age selection in the 2018 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.