After some strong performances, the youth at Fremantle are beginning to mature and grow. With two wins and two NAB Rising Star nominations in a row, there have been some positive signs from Freo’s crop of youngsters.
Connor Blakely
While Connor Blakely made his debut against Port Adelaide in round 23 last season, the 2016 season has been the real test for him.
His debut game saw him finish with 12 disposals, a tackle and a mark, but so far in 2016 Blakely has shown that he’s improving well with experience.
Blakely averaged just over 12 disposals and three tackles in his first three games of 2016. The round nine clash against Richmond proved to be a standout for Blakely, finishing with 18 disposals and seven tackles, a career high for both stats, while also being a strong third man up in the ruck contests, finishing with seven hit-outs.
Since the Richmond game, Blakely’s numbers have surged. In the past three games, Blakely has averaged 26 disposals, three marks and four tackles.
In the round 11 win over Essendon, Blakely received a NAB Rising Star nomination, where he finished the game with 25 disposals, five marks and a career high seven tackles.
In the past four games, Blakely is averaging 25 disposals, four marks, four hit outs and almost five tackles.
2016 so far: 19.9 disposals, 3.9 hit-outs, 4 tackles per game.
We'll continue to invest in our youth: Lyon
Lachie Weller
Selected with pick number 13 in the 2014 draft, Lachie Weller has played 15 games in his career, and all 12 of Freo’s games so far in 2016.
Weller debuted in round 18, 2015 against Greater Western Sydney, where he finished with eight disposals, three marks and two tackles. Similar to Blakely, Weller has seen a steady rise since his debut.
Weller’s first three games saw him average 10 disposals, two marks and two tackles. His standout game came in the fifth round of the 2016 season, against Carlton, where the young midfielder finished with 18 disposals and a career high seven tackles.
In the round 12 win over the Brisbane Lions, Weller received a NAB Rising Star nomination. He finished the game with a career high 22 disposals, a career high four goals, three marks and three tackles.
In addition to his recent personal bests in disposals and goals, Weller has provided rabid chase and tackling pressure.
2016 so far: 14.6 disposals, 2.4 marks, 3.6 tackles per game.
Weller joins Rising Star's list
Darcy Tucker
Darcy Tucker was drafted with pick number 27 in the 2015 National Draft, and made his debut in round five against Carlton, where he finished with 16 disposals, three marks and three tackles.
He performed well against Brisbane in round 12, where he was important in Fremantle’s first quarter comeback. The Lions started strong, kicking the first three goals of the game before Tucker helped steady the ship by kicking Freo’s first goal with a classy finish from the pocket.
He finished the game with a career high 19 disposals, four marks, three tackles and two goals.
2016 so far: 16 disposals, 3.3 marks, 2.8 tackles per game.
Tucker sees great signs for Freo's future
Sam Collins
Drafted with pick 55 in the 2015 National Draft, the mature-age rookie made his debut in round 10 against St. Kilda and finished the game with 12 disposals, seven marks, and a tackle.
The 22 year old was important in the win over the Bombers, where he finished with 24 disposals, 11 marks and a tackle. Collins was a strong presence in the Freo defence, stopping Essendon’s run and performing admirably on key forward Joe Daniher.
2016 So far: 14.7 disposals, 7.7 marks per game.
