Draft Profile Connor Blakely - 2014 Draft Prospect

[Chris25]

Connor Blakely
Height: 186cm
Weight: 81kg
From: Swan Districts, Western Australia
Position: Midfielder​

Looking at another one of the bigger name players and a possible first round selection, Connor Blakely is shaping up to be one of BigFooty's favourites for 2014. He seems to be getting a bit of attention around the traps, and he may well be that player tipped to go in the 15-20 range that supporters jump on. And the 'mainsteam' media seems to getting on board too, including him in early pick discussions. On paper he is everything I look for in a midfielder, but there is something that just leaves me a little cold.

Starting with the obvious, there is no denying his performances this year. Prior to the U18 Championships, Blakely cemented a spot in the Swan Districts league side and had been averaging around 18 disposals a game. Playing against men, he hasn't looked out of place at all and should remain playing at the top level for the rest of the season. For Western Australia, he missed two matches because of a hamstring strain but still made the All Australian side with an average of over 20 disposals and proved himself as one of the best clearance players. While some of the All Australian selections could be questioned, there is no questioning Blakely's spot. At times he was the only thing keeping WA in the contest, and was easily their best and most consistent player.

The best thing about his season to date, is that he has played different roles for both Swan Districts and Western Australia. At the U18 Championships, he was the #1 midfielder and was in there at nearly every centre bounce and throw up. And in that role, he used his size well to get first hands on the ball and his tackling pressure was solid in close. Whereas in the WAFL, he has played a little more on the outside and has done so quite well. He seems to have a good understanding of the game, he knows where to run and then works hard to link up once the ball does come out - even if he doesn't quite have the pace you'd ideally be after. And this outside game is worth noting, because he showed little versatility for WA. With a lack of midfield talent around him, it forced him to play the one role all Championships - something which would have been to his detriment, if he weren't for his other tape.

So all of that sounds pretty good - a tall, contested ball winning, versatile midfielder. You can see why people are talking him up as a first round pick. And I can certainly see it too. But I personally have him in the second round, and more in the 25-30 range. All things considered, it's not a major drop and indicates that I still think he could be a good player - there are just some similar players who I would take first.

Firstly, I was surprised that his disposal efficiency was as good as it was at the U18 Championships. The games I saw him play, he looked quite rushed with his disposal and didn't always give himself the chance to pick the best option. A few times, he would get the ball in his hands, put his head down to run out of congestion and then blindly kick. Instead of taking it all on himself, he could have taken the first option in giving the ball out to his teammates or at least compose himself once he was in space. From a free kick though (which he seemed to get quite a few of) he was generally pretty good with his disposal. I'll also be interested to see how his clearance game goes once he is playing against stronger opposition, I have a feeling he may be bumped off the ball a little easily with his current technique. The other area I'd like to see him improve is in going forward, particularly creating mismatches with his height. He has never really been much of a threat in the forward line, and that's where a lot of the other midfielders in this draft are improving.

I do still think he is a good player, and would happily take him mid to late second round. But, personally I would consider top 15 to be overrating him. I suppose I look at the 2013 draft, and question who I would rather between him and Blake Acres who went at pick 19. And I would take Acres. For me, he is much closer to the likes of Trent Dumont and Nick Robertson who were picked at 30 and 34 respectively. Like Dumont, he is perhaps only an average athlete but is strong in the body and has performed well at senior level in addition to dominating against his peers.

When it comes to how much I like a player, I ask myself - would I be happy if Fremantle were to draft him? And I would be very happy to pick him with our second round, but would think I could do better in the first round.

​

 

[Silvagnis]

Wonder if Blakeley would still be in the mix for Carlton at pick 19 or 28. Assuming we keep our second pick. We might want some speed and silk (chasing an outside mid/wingman and half forward) to complement Cripps, Bell, Graham, Curnow and Whiley, but he looks a top 20 pick with his frame and contested work. Might use it by foot like Robinson and Lucas, but I reckon he might appeal to Carlton. Like his agility and awareness in traffic.

We like our WA players.

Swan Districts gun Blakely looks a lively draft player

Link

AFL biography: Runs all day using his impressive endurance base and has good speed. Averaged 21 disposals at 79% efficiency, seven clearances and 5.5 tackles during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Raff Guadagnino, WAFL: "Connor is one of the most rounded people and players we've had this year. He watched him as a 16-year-old playing half-back and half-forward but he's turned himself into a really good inside midfielder since then which is a really good achievement. He's very professional, an intelligent kid who has that bit of presence about him in the group."

 

[CatRiot]

Cats need a clearance specialist and someone that can play HB or HF. Would be happy if we got him with pick 14, 21 or 35.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Hoping he lasts till the Dees second rounder, at #23. Reckon there's a few gems to be found in the late first/early second round this year, in Cockatoo, Lamb, Blakely, Duggan, Smith, etc.

 

[Baird]

Would love Blakely, but pick 5 is too high and I highly doubt he'd be available at pick 30.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Would love Blakely, but pick 5 is too high and I highly doubt he'd be available at pick 30.

I seriously rate him, would give up a top 10 pick. Definitely behind Durdin, Lever, Weller, and a few others that the Pies will look at though.

 

[Scham]

Yep, I think he's a big chance to go at 13.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Getting to a really good height now, just a tick under 189cm. If he is still growing he could very easily get to that 190cm mark that many clubs seem to be keen on these days.

I reckon we'd very seriously consider him with 21/22 if we went with McCartin over Petracca at pick 1, but if we go with Petracca as most expect then we may look to other areas with those picks, as we'll already have Armitage, Dunstan, Ross, Petracca, Weller and potentially Acres, Murdoch and Membrey as big and/or very strong inside midfield options.