Docker is relieved to stay home

Bunbury born-and-raised Fremantle Docker Connor Blakely is delighted to have extended his contract with the club for a further three seasons, which will keep him with the Dockers until 2022.

Having said that, the 23-year-old is unlikely to celebrate the news by purchasing several material items as a reward.

A man who retains only personal possessions which are essential, Blakely has also drawn plenty from his friendship with best mate Ethan Maguire, who plays for the Eaton Boomers.

“I look at those guys who come to the club from interstate and those over in Melbourne from WA,” he said.

“I always have a sense of sympathy for them because pretty much the majority of people that they are going to be meeting over the next year is going to be someone directly linked with the football club.

“To be able to tap into the resources of my mates, family and not necessarily have to talk about football is great.

“I love football, it’s my passion and the number one thing on the agenda week-in, week-out, but to be able to chill out and talk about other things that aren’t related to it certainly helps.”

Blakely said after spending much time at the club, being able to have a mental release from the football world was important to him.

“Especially for myself, who can tend to overthink things at times, it’s great to have the release of mates that you have outside of footy,” he said.

“That was definitely another reason why I wanted to re-sign with Fremantle — just knowing that I had good resources, people and support around me.”

With the Dockers still in contention for a finals berth, Blakely hasn’t confirmed his off-season plans just yet, but you can be sure he’ll be paying a visit to his supportive parents Dana and Mark.

“I know that there will definitely be a lot of surfing and time down south,” he said. “I’ll probably whip through to Bunbury and say hi to mum and dad. They always joke that I just shoot down south after that, so I’ll try and spend a bit more time there with them.”