Bunbury’s Connor Blakey replaces injured Nat Fyfe in Freo’s loss to Swans, HBL’s Ethan Hughes misses out

Bunbury’s Connor Blakely made yet another appearance as an injury substitute, replacing Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe at half-time in their loss to Sydney on Sunday. The appearance was Blakely’s sixth off the bench this season, the most of any player across the competition, as Fremantle faded late to lose 14.14 (98) to 8.10 (58). Fyfe came off the ground injured late in the second quarter and looks set to miss the remainder of the season after re-dislocating his troublesome right shoulder. Blakely, who was relieved of his substitute duties last week to have a full hit-out at Peel Thunder, had nine touches running mostly on a wing from 41 minutes of game time. He was rarely deployed on the ball, despite offering similar size and strength to Fyfe around stoppages. Blakely’s ball use, which has been much-maligned in recent years, was at just above 50 per cent against the Swans. The former Bunbury Bulldog is a chance to come into Fremantle’s starting 22 for next Sunday’s clash with Richmond at Optus Stadium, with injuries to Fyfe and Michael Walters. Meanwhile, Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault product Ethan Hughes was dropped from the side to face the Swans, replaced by stylish rebounder Hayden Young. The clash was the first time Hughes has missed a game purely for selection reasons since late 2019, and comes just one week after returning from an 11-week shoulder injury. The defender turned out for Peel Thunder alongside Donnybrook’s Tobe Watson in their 12.10 (82) to 8.10 (58) loss to West Perth. Hughes collected 12 disposals and was solid defensively, while Watson had an impressive 22 disposals, including 13 kicks and 10 marks. The pair were part of a defence which gave up seven goals to Falcons forward Tyler Keitel. Watson, who was been on the outer at the Dockers for about a month, continues to knock on the door for a recall, however fellow Fremantle mid-sized back man Taylin Duman also had his best WAFL game for the year in the loss. No other South West products featured at their AFL clubs, with Hawthorn dropping Busselton’s Damon Greaves ahead of their 19-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.