Connor Blakely looked over his shoulder and saw David Mundy. In front of him were a host of AFL stars he’d only ever watched on television before.

The Fremantle Dockers’ recruit was sitting in the club’s lecture theatre on Monday in what was his first team meeting as an AFL player.

Then, senior coach Ross Lyon addressed the players, and that’s when it sunk in for Blakely.

“I had to pinch myself… I’m in the AFL now,” he said.

Last Friday, the day after Freo had drafted him, Blakely went out for lunch with new teammates Lachie Neale, Cam Sutcliffe and Max Duffy.

The Freo trio gave him some advice.

“They just said take your time, it’s going to be hard to crack into the team, so just work at your trade,” Blakely said.

He was also informed of the importance Lyon places on effort and the rewards those who give it without compromise can achieve.

“(They told me) every session that you have, you have to work hard, whether it’s a training session or a gym session, just put in 100 per cent effort and you’ll get the best out of yourself,” Blakely said.

“That should create the opportunity to get into the team, whether it’s next year or in two years time, if you work hard that opportunity will eventually come.”