WA under-18s bank on Blakely
Swan Districts midfielder Connor Blakely looms as a major inclusion for WA when they try to break their AFL under-18 championship duck against Vic Country at Fremantle Oval tomorrow.
Blakely starred against South Australia in the first game of the championships, but hasn't featured since injuring a ham- string at training.
His return will offset the loss of Alec Waterman and Ryan Lim, who are being rested because of an AFL requirement that 32 squad members play at least two games.
Vic Country have won two of their three games at the championships.
They will field a near full-strength side tomorrow with key forward and potential top-three draft pick Patrick McCartin (quad) the only major omission.
WA have lost all three of their games, but went within five points of upsetting unbeaten SA at Medibank Stadium last weekend.
Tomorrow's game against Vic Country will be their final opportunity to win on home soil before the championships move to Victoria for the final two rounds.
WAFL talent academy manager Raff Guadagnino said the players were determined to turn their fortunes around in the latter half of the competition.
"Our focus this weekend against Vic Country is less is more," Guadagnino said.
"We need to play contested, quick football and the players are priding themselves on being passionate, willing and committed."
