BUNBURY football product Connor Blakely is set to debut for the Fremantle Dockers this weekend when they take on Port Adelaide.
Blakely, 19, was selected by Fremantle at pick number 34 in the national draft last December and has had a stellar year with Peel Thunder waiting for his chance to take on the big league.
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Fremantle coach Ross Lyons told AFL Media the midfielder would be selected in the side to fly to Adelaide on Thursday with a number of the side's stars to be rested ahead of the finals.
Lyon said he would have debuted last week if not for an ankle issue.
"Connor is a special young man and a special young player so it'll be great to have a look at him and he'll get a real crack at it," Lyon said.
"He'll come up against (Travis) Boak and all those guys, so he'll know he's alive."
Bunbury Bulldogs coach Ryan Pitts said Blakely, who won the club's colts best and fairest award in 2012, was a clean footballer with good skills and huge potential.
"I'd like to wish him the best of luck - it's a fantastic chance and I hope he makes the most of his opportunity," he said.
Pitts said he thought Blakely "definitely" had what it takes to make it at AFL level.
"He's always keen to learn more and is a very coachable player. He also has the desire to work for it and make the most of his opportunities.
"He is a good young fellow and it's great to see him him get the recognition for what he's done so far," he said.
Blakley's coach at Peel Thunder, Cameron Shepherd, said everyone at the club would be cheering him on when he lined up for the Dockers against the Power.
"We're really pleased for him to get a chance," he said.
"If, and when, he he comes back to us he should be richer for the experience."
Shepherd said Blakely was one of a number of Dockers youngsters at Peel who have had enjoyed a good year at the club and have helped the Thunder reach their inaugural finals series.
"He [Blakeley] came from a good football family and has been a real asset to us this season.
"Being in the AFL system has really aided his development," he said.
Blakely signed a one year contract extension earlier this year which will tie him to the Dockers until the end of 2017.
The big-bodied inside midfielder told afl.com.au at the time that he had been keen to secure his future at Fremantle.
"It was something I definitely wanted to do before the year was over," Blakely said.
"I'm glad that Freo was happy to extend my contract."
Last year when he was drafted Blakely said he was lost for words after his selection, but proud to have become a Fremantle Docker.
"I'm just relieved that a club has used one of their picks on me," he said.
"I'm very lucky to have been selected by such a good and strong club as Fremantle."
Blakely moved to Perth in 2014 after successful seasons with the Bunbury Bulldogs and made a name for himself during the 2014 WAFL season at Swan Districts.
The day after being drafted, Blakely went out for lunch with new teammates Lachie Neale, Cam Sutcliffe and Max Duffy, where the trio gave him advice about being a Fremantle Docker.
“They just said take your time, it’s going to be hard to crack into the team, so just work at your trade,” Blakely said.
