HONEST conversations with coach Ross Lyon about playing on the edge and being more versatile have been catalyst for Fremantle young gun Connor Blakely's stellar form this season.
Blakely has been a shining light for Freo, averaging almost 24 touches a game despite regularly being used in a tagging role after the Dockers' horror 0-2 start to the campaign.
The 21-year-old then showcased his flexibility against Geelong on Sunday, racking up 27 touches and taking seven marks across half-back in the brave three-point loss.
Blakely, who re-signed until the end of 2019 on Tuesday, expects to be moved between roles for the rest of the year, but the Bunbury product is wary of taking anything for granted.
"After the round two game Ross and I had a pretty honest conversation about what my role was to be for the following weeks – and that was obviously the tagging role," Blakely said.
"I think you're never fully established in the midfield. I always play better when I'm on the edge.
"When you're on the edge you know you're not a full-time player in the team.
"Anyone's really one or two bad games from being out of the side."
Team balance was the reason Blakely moved to half-back against the Cats, freeing up fellow young gun Lachie Weller for a move to the wing and Stephen Hill to play as an inside midfielder.
"He (Lyon) said to me if you want to be a good player, good players can play anywhere, and I took it in my stride," Blakely said.
"It just adds another string to your bow. Wherever he wants me to play, I'll play."
The Dockers took their youngest team this season to Geelong for what seemed mission impossible without Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands.
But a side featuring five of this year's six debutants almost snatched a memorable victory, responding after poor efforts in defeats to the Lions, Pies and Crows before the bye.
"It's something we were really proud of as a playing group the way we bounced back," Blakely said.
"Obviously we were really disappointed not getting the four points but we took a real big step forward on the weekend with the way we want to play."
It was the fourth Dockers match this season decided by less than 10 points – and the first Freo has failed to win.
"As a young group when you're under that extreme pressure in the last quarter you certainly grow as a player and you work out who can handle those big moments and who can't," Blakely said.
"That last play, the way that Lachie Weller centered the ball and things like that it just shows a lot of composure with our young guys."
Although rebuilding is Fremantle's priority, if the Dockers (6-7) are to stay in the finals race then victory over St Kilda this Sunday is crucial.
The Saints haven't won at Domain Stadium from their past six attempts, while Freo will be aiming to arrest a four-game losing skid.
