After training with Fremantle for two weeks, recruit Connor Blakely describes an AFL pre-season as “full on”.

Freo selected the Bunbury product with pick 34 in this year’s AFL Draft.

“You realise just how intense it is,” Blakely said.

“Everything we do, we try really hard to get the most out of ourselves.

“The club’s about accountability and attention to detail. Everything is measured.

“You find out pretty quickly if you’re slacking off in one of those areas.”

The moment it sunk in for Blakely

Blakely and the other recruits were recently tested in their first 3km time trial at the club, and while he wasn’t disappointed with his time, he wasn’t pleased either.

“I was okay, (but) I wasn’t happy,” he said.

“There’s a lot of improvement to happen because we’re not at the level of guys that have been here for four or five years that have that strong fitness base.

“It’s something I’ll definitely work on, work hard over the Christmas break.

There’s definitely no slacking off over Christmas.

“I think all of us will improve our times.”

The Bunbury recruit has also discovered quite quickly what values his senior coach Ross Lyon holds dearest.

“He really loves effort,” Blakely said.

“I found Ross as someone who tells you how it is. He’ll tell you whether you’re going well or not so well.

“You definitely know where you stand with him, which is something I find really good with a coach.”

Blakely has worked closely with Danyle Pearce and David Mundy, who have given him some tips on positioning at midfield stoppages.