Rising Pingelly midfielder Tom Blechynden hungry for more WAFL premiership success

Pingelly midfielder Tom Blechynden believes his side can overcome adversity and win Saturday’s WAFL grand final at Optus Stadium. South Fremantle are attempting to win consecutive premierships but will start underdogs in this year’s league decider against Subiaco. The Bulldogs have been hit with injuries to key players that have forced a raft of changes to their senior team at an important stage of the season. Despite losing the second semifinal to the Lions, the Bulldogs bounced back and won an absorbing preliminary final against Claremont to book a grand final berth. Katanning’s Haiden Schloithe, Boddington’s George Wessels and Kojonup’s Travis Abbott joined Blechynden in the Bulldogs’ winning preliminary final team. Blechynden will play on the State’s premier football ground for the first time on Saturday. “It would obviously be huge for the players to go back-to-back but also the club,” he said. “We have been slowly building all season and have overcome a fair bit of adversity this season so to win a flag, it would be unreal. “I have never played at Optus Stadium so it’s an awesome opportunity, I need to make sure I soak it all in and enjoy it. “It would be an awesome achievement to go back-to-back. “I know there’s a lot of friends and family that follow me very closely back at home so to be able to get up would be awesome to give them all some excitement, without thinking too far ahead.” Blechynden has spent more time in the midfield this season and his side will go up against a stacked Lions midfield containing the likes of Lachlan Delahunty, Leigh Kitchin and Greg Clark. “I've really enjoyed the season and the opportunity to move into the midfield,” Blechynden said. “I have always felt like I’ve played my best footy in the midfield so it’s been good to get the opportunity to do that. “If I bring the right mindset and prepare well I feel like I can have a good impact on the game. “I’ll play whatever role is best for the team on the day.” The Lions will be out to win a fifth league premiership in the past eight seasons and Blechynden expected it to be a cracking decider. “Subi are always very physical so we need to prepare for that and it will be a hot footy,” he said. “If we play our brand of footy for four quarters it’ll give us the best opportunity to win. “I believe if we play our best footy we are a chance of winning, it will be a good game but, I think. “Obviously very excited to be playing in another grand final it's not something that comes around too often. The game will start at 3.20pm on Saturday and will be televised on Channel 7.