Fremantle’s axing of prolific young midfielder Connor Blakely has perplexed many fans in the football world, especially Dockers supporters.
The Bunbury native has arguably been Fremantle’s best ball winner over the past two months, with the exception of superstars Lachie Neale and Michael Walters.
So why drop him?
Asking myself the same question last night, the only legitimate answers I have come up with are that Blakely is either being rested or qualified for a Peel Thunder final.
The illegitimate answer is that Fremantle has lost their minds, though the first two options are the more sensible ones.
But even though Fremantle fans may be upset at Blakely’s omission, Peel Thunder must be salivating.
The Thunder benefit from Dockers talent running through their midfield each week, but a promising youngster who thrives on contested possession and has had a few months playing against the best in the country is an enticing inclusion for Peel.
It wouldn’t be out of line to suggest that Blakely, who is named in Peel’s starting midfield, will dominate.
He will be joined by Fremantle teammates Jon Griffin and Nick Suban, who have also been omitted.
Griffin’s axing is another brain-buster, but Suban’s comes after his worst performance of the season for the Dockers last week against Gold Coast, where he gathered just six possessions.
Both will be welcome ins for Peel though, who could lose a string of Fremantle talent from last weekend’s win over Perth.
A win against the Tigers looms as extremely beneficial to Peel’s finals chances.
Peel currently sits in fourth on the ladder, sharing a 9-7 record with East Perth and holding a one-game advantage over East Fremantle.
The advantage over the Sharks could be stretched to two games over the weekend, with East Freo facing a daunting task in having to play top-two side South Fremantle.
If results go the way they’re expected to (which is becoming rare in the WAFL), Peel will beat Claremont and the Sharks will lose to South Freo, meaning the Thunder hold a two-game advantage in the top five despite a three-game losing streak just a fortnight ago.
But it remains imperative that Peel doesn’t take the Tigers, who sit with four wins on the year, lightly.
In their last two matches, Claremont has beaten top-two side South Fremantle and pushed top-five side East Perth.
The Thunder will need to bring the same effort they have brought over the past fortnight to notch a win.