He’s arguably the most hated player in the competition, but Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne says he received nothing but love from his AFL rivals during his recent International Rules adventure.
Ballantyne linked up with the likes of Luke Hodge, Patrick Dangerfield, Brendon Goddard, Harry Taylor, Nick Riewoldt, and Sam Mitchell for Australia’s 56-52 Test loss to Ireland in Dublin.
The Australian squad also spent time together in New York in the lead-up to the game.
Ballantyne has become renowned for his ability to annoy opponents during his seven-year football career.
But the 28-year-old said he was on friendly terms with his AFL rivals during their trip to America and Ireland.
“It was really good. There were no haters over there,” Ballantyne said.
“We were all in one team, and all played as a team.
“The whole team gelled really good straight away. In the first night in New York we went out and had dinner together and had a couple of drinks, and got chatting.
“We all shared a story about our wife or partner while we were over there, and then they did vice versa. We got to know the partners as well.”
Ballantyne was among a number of Fremantle stars who returned to pre-season training on Tuesday.
Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was restricted to some light running and kicking as he slowly builds up his workloads following surgery to fix a lower leg fracture.
But while the first-up session was relatively light, a 3km time trial is planned for Wednesday, with the Perth temperature forecast to reach 36 degrees.
“I can’t wait,” Ballantyne said with a laugh.
Ballantyne managed just 15 goals from 15 games last season.
It was a far cry from his 2014 All-Australian campaign that yielded 49 goals.
Ballantyne’s aim for 2016 is a simple one: “No injuries and more goals basically,” he said.
Fremantle finished on top of the table last season before being bundled out of the flag race by Hawthorn in a preliminary final.
Ballantyne said the Hawks loomed as the team to beat yet again after they made it three flags in a row.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
After reading this comments section I've realised that Hawks supporters are the new Collingwood supporters. Adyl12 - are you Eddie McGuire's son?
andyl12
Guest
"Hawthorn, it seems, have no way of illustrating greatness without reference to Freo, one of its players or its coach." Here we go: PREMIERS 1961 PREMIERS 1971 PREMIERS 1976 PREMIERS 1978 PREMIERS 1983 PREMIERS 1986 PREMIERS 1988 PREMIERS 1989 PREMIERS 1991 PREMIERS 2008 PREMIERS 2013 PREMIERS 2014 PREMIERS 2015 Leading premiership winner in the AFL era.
Don Freo
Guest
Hawthorn boys Andy and NYH made the running there. All their reference points come through Freo. After all, Freo, the top team of 2015 must be everyone's reference point. Hawthorn, it seems, have no way of illustrating greatness without reference to Freo, one of its players or its coach.
Jrod
Guest
Why are we comparing Mitchell and hodge to ballantyne. Wrong on so many levels. All time champion players vs someone who is famous for how dirty he plays against the cats. The fact ross lyon thinks these niggling no skilled non ball winning types have value for their annoyance value is one of his philosophical coaching issues has cost him many times in big finals.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Keep on running, keep on hiiiiiding... They're your claims andyl12, all you need to do is show they aren't something you've made up. Try at about 17:35 on the clock when Brad gets an early touch, or perhaps even at about 12:35 on the clock when he gets another The second quarter with about 12:30 to go. I could go on with more times and even give the times Mitchell gets the ball for a contrast in whether he was booed or not?
andyl12
Guest
DC- I'm not going to answer claims from you that have no credibility. Who would?
andyl12
Guest
Three'0- Premierships are not won without good leadership. What about Ballas becoming a leader one day?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Speaking of dog acts, I'm still waiting for you to stop running from your malicious fabrication andyl12.
justin
Roar Rookie
you are right andy12, no one would take him he is a prime reason why freo are perennial September losers, too many who go missing .
Don Freo
Guest
Why would you be surprised? You're advertising the limitations of your footy knowledge. It would have to be top 10 before we'd consider a trade and would then still say, "No." Perhaps you'd like to consider why. You possibly don't understand concepts such as team and spirit. I hope you extend your world one day Justin. Fancy spending them in Andyl12's back pocket?
andyl12
Guest
LIKE!
justin
Roar Rookie
he only talks so much on the field because he cant walk the walk. i am surprised he is not trade bait. someone would take him for pick 90 i am sure
slane
Guest
Gee Andy, you actually can't think of a single incident in that little grub Ballas career that was as bad as the Hodge and Mitchell sniping incidents last season? So Ballantyne is a cleaner player than Hodge and/or Mitchell and yet you still have to have a dig.
Don Freo
Guest
Gee...you took a while to revert to that one. Premierships are team things. They have nothing to do with Mitchell's lack of values or Hodge's filth. Nothing alters their standing in the game as 2 of the least tasteful characters the game has seen. Premierships are a different conversation...but you will always use that when you run out of things to say. I'm amazed you haven't resorted to Hird or Essendon yet.
andyl12
Guest
Premierships to be proud of. But then you and Ballas wouldn't know what one of them is would you.............. haha touched lots of nerves.
Don Freo
Guest
Incident? Try, "incidents". You have missed a career of plurals. How delightfully desperate you sound. Love that we have touched a nerve. Not a lot to be proud of with those 3 leaders.
andyl12
Guest
Mitchell's kneeing was nothing compared to Fyfe's headhunting. Hodge's incident didn't look good but I'll write it off as a brain snap given his long-time record as a clean champion. If Ballantyne had the finals capabilities of Hodge or Mitchell, Freo would probably have a premiership by now.
andyl12
Guest
Anyone who compares Mitchell to Mike Tyson has no credibility. Balthazar, can i count on you to repudiate these comments from Don Three'0?
Don Freo
Guest
So you are now talking about what he didn't do? ...or was that clumsy, incorrect rhetoric?
Don Freo
Guest
You seem to be confusing champion with respect. Mitchell is a champion like Mike Tyson was. He has similar respect.