Carlton draftee Liam Stocker has revealed he turned to Andrew Brayshaw for advice and completed an off-season fitness program with the Fremantle young gun to prepare himself for life in the AFL system.

The Blues caused a massive stir during last week’s national draft when they swapped future first-round selections with Adelaide to secure Stocker with pick 19.

The 18-year-old Sandringham Dragons product won the Morrish Medal as the best player in the TAC Cup this year and rocketed up the draft order.

But he admitted a confronting pre-draft interview with Richmond last month, during which Tigers recruiting staff challenged him on his poor fitness levels, was the “kick up the bum” he needed.

It was the catalyst for Stocker seeking out former Haileybury College school mate Brayshaw to help him reach new standards after overcoming a shoulder injury.

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“Once I was allowed to run again I stole Andy Brayshaw’s midfield program from Freo and started toiling away at that and a bit of gym work,” Stocker said on arrival at Carlton’s Ikon Park headquarters yesterday.

“I was mainly trying to do rehab on the shoulder to make sure it wasn’t an issue when I got here.

“I think my running still has a little bit to go and I think Russ (Carlton fitness boss Andrew Russell) will have a bit to say about that. That’s certainly still my weakness.”

Brayshaw’s impressive debut season came to a screeching halt when he had his jaw broken by a punch from West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff in round 20.

The 19-year-old had surgery to repair the damage and spent time with family in Melbourne during his recovery.

It was there he and Stocker linked up and helped each other through the running sessions.

“He was good enough to show me what he’d been doing for Freo in his rehab from his jaw,” Stocker said.

“I picked up on that and thought if I could do even 90 per cent of that I’d be better for it.”