Docker Blakely’s star rises

Former Bunbury footballer Connor Blakely was awarded the Round 11 NAB Rising Star nomination after an excellent performance for the Fremantle Dockers at the weekend.

Blakely had 25 disposals, 84 per cent efficiency and seven tackles in the Dockers’ 79-point win over Essendon at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old is averaging 18 disposals this season as well as four tackles in his six games for the year.

Blakely made his debut alongside fellow South West footballer Ethan Hughes in Round 23 last season and returned to the Dockers side in Round Six when Fremantle lost to the Adelaide Crows.

Blakely has had 20 or more disposals in his past three games for the Dockers and is also averaging more than four hit-outs a game, due to his role as the third-man up in ruck contests around the ground.

The midfielder said a pep-talk from Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe at half-time of Saturday’s game helped him turn his night around and allowed him to have an impact.

Blakely’s father Mark said he was proud of his son’s efforts.

“He has taken the opportunity presented to him,” he said.

Mark said a talk from the coaches after his second game of the year had given Connor confidence for the past few games.

“The coaches said to him that if he gives that sort of effort every week he will stay in the team,” he said.

“All the credit goes to the coaches for giving him that confidence.”

Mark said he was at Saturday night’s game and was pleased with his son’s efforts after half-time, with Connor having just four disposals to the main break.

“He was desperate for a win,” he said.

“He just wanted to sing the club song.”

Dockers coach Ross Lyon told the club’s website Blakely was playing well with the more experienced midfielders.

“We are really pleased with the way Connor is progressing and how he is adapting to the intensity of the game at this level,” Lyon said.

The Dockers take on the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.