Fremantle midfielder Connor Blakely has credited his time in the WAFL early in his career to helping his growth as a player.
Blakely played 17 games in the WAFL in 2015 before making his Freo debut in round 23, and began the 2016 season with three games for Peel Thunder before finding his way into the Freo side.
While he’s strung together back-to-back games of more than 20 disposals at the AFL level, when asked whether he could have achieved this without experience at the state level, Blakely was quick to respond.
“Definitely not,” he said.
“I had the mentality of wanting to build my form in the WAFL and I played in the team last year and got plenty of experience.”
Blakely following Fyfe's advice
Blakely said his time at the WAFL level allowed him to adjust to the demands of professional football and build a case for senior selection.
“You learn the game plan in the first year and it’s sort of like an apprenticeship in a way,” he said.
“You build into form, find your feet, work out the ins and outs of the AFL, and (find out) how hard you have to work to get a game.
“At Freo you don’t get gifted a game straight away, you learn how to be disciplined and keep persisting and eventually it will come if you work hard.”
Blakely admitted that while injuries played a part in his extended time at the AFL level, he said he hasn’t been taking the opportunity for granted.
“Ross always talks about how a bit of adversity becomes opportunity,” he said.
“Especially with a lot of injuries, it opened up a spot but if you’re going to get the chance you have to take it with both hands because if you’re not performing you’ll be straight out.
“My biggest aim is to make sure I’m playing my role and staying in the team for as long as I can.”
