MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Liam Stocker of the Blues kicks the ball during the 2021 AFL Round 18 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 18, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
After being a part of draft history, Liam Stocker's time at the Blues has come to an end after the club announced that he would not be offered a new contract for next season on Monday.
Coming into the 2018 draft as the Morrish medallist of that year, Stocker became part of a National Draft first with the introduction of live pick swapping amongst clubs.
Ranked as one of the top talents of the draft class by Carlton, the club famously swapped their future first-round pick for Pick 19 and Adelaide's future first-round selection in order to jump in and secure Stocker - effectively becoming Pick 4 for Stocker and Pick 9.
Regarded as an elite kick on both feet and a contested bull at under 18 level, the swap received mass attention and showed the Blues' willingness to secure Stocker ahead of other clubs.
Unfortunately, injuries hampered Stocker's time at IKON Park, playing just 28 games across four seasons and the 22-year-old will now be on the lookout for a new home to reignite his career.
Earlier this year, Stocker also bravely opened up on his battle with anxiety and the effects it has had on his career so far.
Despite his struggle for consistent game time, his delisting came as a shock to many, with fans and pundits torn on the decision given the large investment made at the National Draft.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
While he came through as a midfielder, Stocker plied his trade as a defender at Carlton given their stack of talent in the midfield and could look for an opportunity in the middle elsewhere.
Nonetheless, we've come up with five teams that could use a Stocker-like player in 2023 and give the 22-year-old a new home to flourish at.
If 2022 is anything to go by, Sam Mitchell will continue to have a heavy focus for youth in his improving Hawks side.
With talks of an exit for Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, there could be a midfield spot for Stocker at the Hawks.
While Giant Tanner Bruhn looks likely to make his way to Hawthorn, picking up Stocker as a delisted free agent would be an added bonus.
He's ready-made, young and would be working under one of the greatest midfielders of the modern generation - where if he could learn just a few tricks from Mitchell, it would go a long way for Stocker.
Stocker would become a key part of a young side that is brimming with more confidence every week and is definitely a side that should be putting work into Stocker this off-season as they look to inject more AFL-ready youth into their side in 2023.
It's been much talked about, but the Giants will need reinforcements in 2023, with a host of players linked with an exit from the club.
In particular the potential losses of Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Tanner Bruhn will massively weaken the midfield stocks at the Giants in 2023.
Investing in a player like Stocker could be an option for the Giants as a replacement for Hopper, in particular.
They could offer him midfield minutes, he can get away from Victoria and just play his football.
If they can resurface and utilise the skills that made Stocker hot property as a youngster, he could become a shrewd pick up for the orange and charcoal.
At just 22, he fits the profile that they require to bounce back from what was a supremely poor season for GWS and working with the likes of Callan Ward, Tom Green and Stephen Coniglio could be beneficial for Stocker.
A fresh environment, led by new coach Adam Kingsley, could be just what Stocker needs to continue his AFL career.
In a similar ilk to Hawthorn, North Melbourne could be a side that would suit Stocker and his demographic.
With coaching great Alastair Clarkson now at the helm for the Kangaroos, Stocker would be placed in an exciting, young environment where he could become a useful inside midfielder.
Clarkson, who coached Mitchell at the Hawks, knows what is needed for a winning culture and how to get the best out of his players - something that would be hugely beneficial for Stocker.
Clarkson isn't the only thing that could assist Stocker, but also working alongside emerging stars Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jy Simpkin and the underrated Ben Cunnington.
North are on the hunt for ready-made talents to add to their stocks, and, while they've largely been linked to older players around the league, they would also be looking at adding more high-quality youngsters.
Now this would be an interesting one.
It is widely reported that the Tigers had their eyes on drafting Stocker in 2018 with the 20th selection before the Blues jumped in at 19 to nab him.
Four years later, the Tigers could return to the fold to rejuvenate Stocker's career.
Given they were after Stocker, the Tigers would have done lots of work around him as a youngster, knowing his strengths, weaknesses and his character.
With Trent Cotchin getting towards the final stage of his career and Dustin Martin continuously linked away from the club, the Tigers might be after young midfield talent for 2023 and beyond.
On top of this, Dion Prestia has had injuries hamper his year this season which, combined with other absentees, has hurt the Tigers in a few moments this year.
Stocker would be joining a winning culture and could thrive in that type of environment where the coaches have confidence in him and his abilities as well as a tendency to give youngsters a chance.
Having Stocker lining up in that Richmond engine room against the Blues in Round 1 next season would make for very intriguing viewing.
Like most teams on this list, the Saints will be in the hunt for young, AFL-ready talent to add to their list, and for as little cost as possible.
With Dan Hannebery retired and the likes of Bradley Hill, Ben Long, Zak Jones, Jack Billings and Jade Gresham named as players that could depart from RSEA Park this off-season, Stocker could be the perfect player to come in and at least supply solid depth in the midfield.
While Jack Steele and Brad Crouch lead the midfield, having Stocker play in that midfield would add further toughness and ball-winning ability if they can get the best out of him.
The benefit of picking up Stocker, for all sides, is the fact he will cost them next to nothing as a DFA - which should appeal to many sides like St Kilda.
Definitely fits a need at the Saints and they should be looking at luring Stocker to the club as they look to make a return to the eight in 2023.