Former Docker Connor Blakely hopes Bunbury AFL fixture leaves lasting impact on local youngsters

Former Fremantle midfielder Connor Blakely says the AFL’s fixture in Bunbury this weekend will help inspire the next generation of South West footballers, describing it as an opportunity he wished existed during his playing career.

Having grown up in Bunbury before going on to play 78 AFL games for Fremantle, Blakely said he understands the impact seeing elite football in the region can have on young players dreaming of following a similar path.

“I think from like a selfish perspective it would have been awesome to be a part of, but it just wasn’t something that was even sort of thought of or in the pipelines when I was playing,” Blakely said.

He said he still remembers attending a pre-season match at Hands Oval in 2009 as a youngster between Fremantle and Carlton, saying he was in awe of watching star AFL players such as Brendan Fevola up close.

“Walking around Hands, and you’re seeing these guys playing, and just thinking, how cool would this be to do one day,” Blakely said.

Seeing AFL players on his home ground made the dream of reaching the elite level feel real.

“I guess its a bit of a cliche, but it definitely does inspire you to aim for the highest level, for people to be able to do it as a job,” he said.

“When the kids are able to go and see and watch it in person and at a local oval like Hands I think it’s really awesome.”

Being a former player at the top level, Blakely said he understands the impact footballers can have on the community.

“I think it’s really good what AFL does in these situations where they have certain amount of clinics and visits to certain clubs that they do to get themselves out in the community,” he said.

“I think being a former AFL player and knowing sort of what it’s like, you’re in a pretty privileged position, and you are idolised by kids and young girls and boys.”

Fellow South West product Jye Amiss will enjoy the rare opportunity to play an AFL match in front of family and friends, with Blakely hoping his former teammate can enjoy himself.

“Just the success of how Freo are going at the moment, and then Jye’s a pretty integral part of the team as well,” Blakely said.

“It’d be awesome to be able to do, and I’m sure he’s got a lot of his family there.

“It’s got that extra sort of unique part to it where you don’t necessarily get to play so close to home every week, so it’d be great for him.”