Despite going in as underdogs without captain Nat Fyfe or Aaron Sandilands against the 2017 grand finalists, Connor Blakely said the Fremantle playing group always had the belief they could prevail in what resulted in a three-point win against Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Blakely was beaming when running through the positives from the game, with a number of Fremantle’s up-and-comers filling the void left by some of Freo’s most experienced players.
The win saw Fremantle break a three-game losing streak and record their fifth win for the season.
“It’s just so exciting for us,” Blakely said.
“I think there’s so many guys who performed today. We had our backs to the wall and externally, not many people gave us a chance.
“We always had the belief that if we stick to the game plan and gave 100 per cent, we’d have our best chance of winning.”
Fremantle stunned the Crows with a five goal to one opening term, however Adelaide responded with a six-goal second term while Freo were left goalless.
Adelaide held a two-goal advantage at half time but it seemed insurmountable considering the Crows’ momentum.
But Freo fired again while kicking to the city end, with a four-goal to none third term that set up the win.
“To respond well after they came pretty hard in the second quarter and in that third quarter they were coming again,” Blakely said.
“The way we were able to stand up and hold up at the end was really pleasing.”
Eight of Fremantle’s starting 22 had less than 20 games experience and Blakely highlighted a number of impressive performances from that group.
This included Brennan Cox (four goals) and Adam Cerra (30 disposals) as the highlights.
“Those young guys standing up, like Cox and Scotty Jones, in his second game, as well as Bailey Banfield; those sorts of guys,” Blakely said.
“They’re the ones who are going to bring everyone else through with them.
“There’s so many young guys, like Stefan Giro and Cerra who went down back and performed really well.
“It was really pleasing with Andy Brayshaw in the midfield as well, he always gives 100 per cent effort and he’s someone that you know what you’re going to get from him every week.”
With the game going down to the wire, Blakely credited the Purple Army for helping Freo over the line.
“It was a really physical game, a tough game and the crowd really got behind us at the end,” Blakely said.
“It’s good to get back on the winners list.”
