WA mid-season draftees to debut together for Essendon

A pair of WAFL exports will make their AFL debuts together for Essendon on Saturday – just 17 days after they were picked up in the mid-season draft.

Subiaco key forward Archer May and East Fremantle ruckman Lachie Blakiston will run out alongside one another against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday.

May and Blakiston were selected at picks six and 13 respectively following eye-catching starts to the WAFL season.

May, 20, impressied in his debut season for the Lions, booting 12 goals in six games to go with a State debut in WA’s drought-breaking win over the SANFL.

“I wasn’t sure why Brad (Essendon coach Brad Scott) was calling or if he was giving me VFL instructions, but I was genuinely speechless when he said I was in,” May told Essendon’s website.

“I am over the moon with excitement and so grateful for the opportunity. I’ve done a lot of work to get to where I am so when I rang Mum and Dad, they were both so proud.

“Fifteen days ago I was playing at Subiaco, and now, I’m being told I’m playing at the MCG, it is honestly crazy.

“On Saturday I just want to stay present and focus on what I can contribute to the team and hopefully make the Bomber fans proud.”

Blakiston, 26, was a mature-aged selection who had become a regular for the Sharks over the last couple of seasons.

“I was doing some housework and missed a call from Brad, I rang him back and he told me I’d be in the senior side this week. I couldn’t believe it. It was just sheer excitement and emotion,” Blakiston said.

“A few years ago, I was playing local footy, and now I’m playing on the MCG. I never felt that the dream of AFL was realistic for me, so to now be achieving that goal is incredible.

“When I rang my family Dad was speechless, Mum was in tears, and my partner Sophie was screaming. They’re just wrapped.

“I can’t wait to run out onto the ‘G on Saturday. It will be a real dream come true.”

May and Blakiston were among four WAFL players to get drafted in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft alongside Peel Thunder premiership defender Michael Sellwood (Western Bulldogs) and West Perth speedster Roan Steele (Collingwood).