Ballantyne in race to make season opener
All-Australian forward Hayden Ballantyne is a strong chance to be fit for Fremantle’s round-one blockbuster against Port Adelaide at Domain Stadium in a boost for the injury-hit club.
The 27-year-old will not play in Sunday’s pre-season western derby against West Coast — the final competitive hit-out for both teams.
ButThe West Australian understands the prognosis on the calf injury sustained by Ballantyne in last Sunday’s NAB Challenge loss to Sydney at Drummoyne Oval is positive, with last season’s leading goal kicker likely to recover in time to face the Power on April 5.
Ballantyne would give the Dockers the firepower they need to challenge one of the league’s premiership fancies despite being without Ryan Crowley (provisional suspension), Zac Dawson (groin) and potentially Paul Duffield (ribs).
The extent of Michael Barlow’s ankle injury remains unknown, although Fremantle said yesterday they hoped the on-baller would be available to face Port Adelaide.
Ballantyne left the field before half-time against Sydney after a calf twinge, having reported muscle soreness before the match. Scans are believed to have cleared him of a significant muscle tear.
The pocket rocket is coming off his best season, booting 49 goals in 2014 and earning his first All-Australian guernsey.
Michael Walters has avoided a ban after being reported against the Swans, meaning Fremantle could boast their first-choice forward line against the Power.
Meanwhile, the Dockers are yet to have any discussions with Peel Thunder about how long Colin Sylvia will be banished to the WAFL affiliate.
Sylvia, 29, played the first half for Peel last Saturday as they lost a practice game to Claremont by 115 points.
The former Melbourne midfielder was barred from training at Fremantle last month after failing to meet club values and conditioning standards.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd said he expected Sylvia to have an impact.
“We would like to help and work with Colin and the other development coaches at Fremantle to get him back up at senior level,” Shepherd said.
