South West players key in Dockers victory

For the first time this season, South West Football League products Connor Blakely and Ethan Hughes pulled on their purple guernseys for the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday.

The duo played key roles in the Dockers’ 16-point victory over the Western Bulldogs – their first for the season.

Former Bunbury Bulldog Blakely rebounded from a five-disposal game against Port Adelaide the weekend before to collect 18 disposals and four tackles, as well as keeping Marcus Bontempelli to just 24 touches and a goal.

Blakely has played all three games so far this year for the Dockers in just his third season at the club.

Hughes, who played for Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in the SWFL, played his first game for the season for Fremantle and contributed across half back.

Hughes had just the 11 disposals, but took five marks and was an asset around the ground.

It was the 22-year-old’s seventh AFL game for the Dockers, having played five last season.

Both are expected to retain their spots for this Saturday’s clash against Melbourne at the MCG.