Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has backed Hayden Ballantyne despite being reported again in the Dockers’ 76-point win over the GWS Giants at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
Ballantyne starred with five goals in the 21.10 (136) to 9.6 (60) victory on the back of a seven-goal-to-two final quarter that puts the Dockers into second on the AFL ladder.
Ballantyne was reported for striking Tomas Bugg behind the play in the third quarter.
Already with 87.5 carryover points hanging over him, Ballantyne is now a chance to miss Fremantle’s clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
AFL football operations manager Mark Evans sent a memo to clubs during the week warning of commenting on reports and tribunal cases following the Brian Lake and Drew Petrie incident.
Therefore, Lyon was not going to weigh in on having his star forward reported for the third time this season having already missed a week through suspension and then receiving a reprieve at the tribunal the second time.
What Lyon would say, though, is that Ballantyne will continue to be picked when available.
“It is not ideal. There was a good memo came out and was a timely reminder from Mark Evans. We are not allowed to comment. I didn’t see it anyway,” Lyon said.
“He is playing very good footy, we will let that run its course. I value Hayden and every time he is available I will pick Hayden.”
Giants coach Leon Cameron was happy with his team’s effort for three quarters but couldn’t hide his disappointment over the final quarter fadeout.
Despite the encouraging performances from Toby Greene (35 possessions), Callan Ward (29), Dylan Shiel (28), Devon Smith (23), Jeremy Cameron (17 touches, two goals), Lachie Whitfield (three goals) and Adam Tomlinson (19 disposals, two goals), it wasn’t enough in the end.
“They probably got us every time by a goal or two each quarter but we were right in it in terms of where we thought we were at. But the last quarter was disappointing,” Cameron said.
“There were just shocking skill errors, and contested ball, stoppages, every statistic you could name we got blown away in the last quarter.”
AAP str/wk
bryan
Guest
And of course,Ballantyne is the ONLY player to have done anything like this. Oh yes! that's right! he's from WA----different rules apply ! :)
Full Purple Jacket
Guest
He did say he was a boily before becoming an AFL player. Not the sharpest tools in the shed
Balthazar
Guest
Yep. Really dumb. And he'd been playing such brilliant football and looked like he had settled down a bit.
Axle an the guru
Guest
That purple smoke stuff has affected his brain.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
He's a goose. Nothing riding on the match at all.
Axle an the guru
Guest
This bloke must like visiting the MRP.