Delisted Fremantle midfielder Connor Blakely has revealed he has made contact with new St Kilda coach Ross Lyon about a potential AFL lifeline.
Blakely played under Lyon for five years at Fremantle before falling out of favour under his replacement Justin Longmuir over the last three seasons.
Speaking on SEN WA’s The Run Home, the 26-year-old said he had been in contact with Lyon several times this year, even before he was appointed as new coach of the Saints.
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“I sent Ross a message throughout the year just to have a chat with him on the phone about what I can do to try and force my way back in (at Fremantle),” he said.
“Also, on the other end of things, what I can do to help my chances with finding a club at the end of the year because I knew at that point it was pretty clear that I wasn’t going to be offered another contract.”
Blakely’s time at Fremantle included 78 games across seven seasons, but he didn’t manage a senior game in 2022 after being given a rookie contract.
In the aftermath of Lyon’s return to the Saints, Blakely said he had reached out to his former coach.
“I actually did send him a message when he got the gig at the Saints. When we did have that chat during the year I outlined that I still have a desire to play at the highest level,” he said.
“So I sent him a message that said, ‘Good luck back in the hot seat again where you belong’, and said that my desire to play at the top level is still there.
“He sent a nice message back saying, ‘Thanks mate, next time I talk to list management I’ll mention your name but I can assure you there’s no guarantees’.”
