THE names Barlow, Silvagni and Blair are giving Casey Scorpions star Michael Stockdale the belief he can crack the big time.
At just 175 centimetres it has often been Stockdale's size that had recruiters doubting whether the former Gippsland Power junior could make it in the AFL.
But with the next two AFL drafts being heavily compromised because of the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney joining the competition, recruiters are scouring the country for the next diamond in the rough.
Alex Silvagni joined Fremantle from the Scorpions at the beginning of this year while Michael Barlow joined the Dockers from Werribee.
Silvagni has managed 13 games for the Dockers in his debut season and was recalled for their elimination final against Hawthorn on Saturday.
Barlow was extraordinarily among the favourites to win the Brownlow Medal, before horrifically breaking his leg in round 14 against Port Adelaide.
It might be Collingwood's Jarryd Blair that has the biggest success, with the 172-centimetre midfielder seemingly entrenched in the Magpies' ladder-leading outfit.
"At the start of the year that was the goal [to be rookie listed]," Stockdale said. "If they can do it, you might be able to do it as well."
Stockdale finished third in the Fothergill-Round Medal, which is awarded to the most promising young talent in the VFL, being pipped by Frankston's brilliant defender Michael Hibberd and and Box Hill's Ed Curnow.
Unfortunately for Stockdale, he missed the Scorpions' unsuccessful finals series with a knee injury suffered at the start of July, but it will not hinder his preparation for next year.
"I have torn some cartilage at the back of my kneecap," he says.
"I have got to stay off it so it has time to regenerate, but I will be back running in about three weeks."
It was a chat with Scorpions coach Brad Gotch that helped turn Stockdale's season.
The former Collingwood assistant coach told his nuggety back-pocket player to become a risk-taker.
"Stocky had a tendency to stop and prop, so I really encouraged him to back his own judgement and begin to run with the ball," Gotch said.
His form soon improved dramatically, earning him selection for the VFL game against the WAFL, which the Victorian side won easily.
Casey Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman is confident Stockdale is on the radar of several AFL clubs.
"The main reason Michael didn't get drafted two years ago was because of his size, but AFL clubs have been forced to have a bit of a rethink about smaller players now," he said. "I don't think it will count against him like last time."
One thing is for certain, Stockdale will leave nothing to chance in his quest to join the top flight.
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