Blake gets national nod

By Justin Robertson
A YEAR ago Blake Pearson never would have dreamed he’d be donning the green and gold jumper.
He’s recently been selected in the All-Australian team for the first time, picked as one of the best 22 players from the Under 15 National Schoolboy carnival held in Western Australia last month.
“The standard was much better, bit quicker, shorter quarters, so more skill and just so quick,” Blake said.
“But once I did, I thought I played well throughout the carnival.”
Blake received two best on ground awards during the carnival and was named in the All Australian team after the tournament had ended which saw the Victorian side finish in second place. “I was a bit surprised to be named, I thought there was 22 other player better than me,” Blake said. “I knew I played well, but not well enough to make the team.”
Guy Pearson, Blake’s dad, said his son truly deserved to have made the decorated Australian squad.
“All I did was drive him to training, he did it all himself,” Mr Pearson said. “Blake’s a pretty self motivated kid and works really hard for what he does and it’s capped off a really good year for him,” Mr Pearson said.
When not playing for Victoria, Blake is training hard with Endeavour Hills Football Club, but now, with his name on the All Australian list, Blake said there is nowhere to hide.
“Can’t really bludge, got to keep working harder now that I’ve been named in that side,” Blake said with a laugh. Not that I would slack off anyway, because I’ve always wanted to make it at AFL level and that’s my goal, so I have to keep performing each week,” he said.