Spurr support for Ballantyne
Fremantle defender Lee Spurr has backed teammate Hayden Ballantyne ahead of his tribunal hearing this afternoon.
Ballantyne was sent straight to the tribunal by the Match Review Panel for a bump on Adelaide's Matthew Jaensch in the Dockers' 40-point win at Patersons Stadium on Saturday, which left the Crow with concussion.
But many in the football believe Ballantyne’s action was a fair attack on the ball, including Dockers leadership member Spurr.
“We support fully the way Hayden plays and how way he goes about it, his passion when he plays, and his intensity,” he said.
“He really ignites the team with that intensity and the way he attacks the ball so I think as long as you make the ball your object you’ll be OK.”
But Spurr maintained the Dockers would be able to cover the fiery goalsneak if he is suspended in this afternoon’s hearing.
The club has already confirmed Michael Johnson will miss two-to-four weeks with a knee injury, with Luke McPharlin also in serious doubt with a knee injury.
“We can’t really predict the tribunal and what they’re going to do, we have to wait for later in the day,” Spurr said.
“Whatever happens in the future - someone goes in, someone goes out, someone else comes in - we have got full faith they’ll play their role for the team and stand up and be part of the 22.”
Spurr had copped criticism for his performances so far this season, but was back to his 2013 best shutting Eddie Betts out of the game in the win over the Crows.
The tough defender received the full 10 votes from the coaches, who judged him best man on the field.
“I went in with a strong focus obviously to play on Eddie and executed my role, so really pleased with that and hopefully it can continue going forward,” Spurr said.
“I felt a few times my performances weren’t as consistent, but overall I didn’t really feel that pressure that you spoke about.”
