Hayden Ballantyne Biography

Hayden Ballantyne will be farewelled alongside close mate Aaron Sandilands against Essendon, following confirmation he won't be offered a contract extension.

"Hayden has always been hugely popular with our players, respected for his leadership and admired for his incredible determination and tenacity," Dockers football boss Peter Bell said.

"Hayden wants to continue his playing career, if possible, in 2020 and we were not in a position to offer him a contract extension.

"His management has advised that Hayden wants to remain in the AFL system and pursue a playing or off-field role."

Hayden Ballantyne says he doesn't want to be gifted a farewell game and is still holding out hope of playing in purple beyond 2019.

"If the club can still play finals and I’m not in the (best) 22, then I wouldn’t ask for it and wouldn’t expect it. It always has been and always will be about the club and what’s best for the club," he said.

"But it might not be a farewell, you never know, I might be playing again next year in purple. We'll see what happens at season's end, but like I said I think my form's building and I could step into the side and play good footy."

Hayden Ballantyne says he has renewed confidence in his body since taking up Pilates.

"Pilates has been really good for me and with all the soft-tissues I've had over my career, I prevented them last year pretty much so it's been a big step forward for me and keeping a bit of flexibility and strength in my legs, and hammies in particular," he said.

Hayden Ballantyne is in mourning following the tragic death of his younger brother.

Brendan Ballantyne died after being hit by a car while he was walking along Ennis Avenue in Perth's south on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old leaves behind a two-year-old daughter and his pregnant fiancee, who is due to give birth in the coming weeks.

A 47-year-old man has been charged with careless driving occasioning death.

Hayden Ballantyne signs a one-year contract extension to remain at Fremantle in 2019.

"It's probably coming towards the end of my career. It's another year in the purple and I’m very proud to play at this club for such a long time," he said.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon hopes sending Hayden Ballantyne back to the WAFL will release the "pressure valve" on the Fremantle veteran after intense speculation about his form.

"Supply has been really quite difficult, and a young forward line around him and not that tall," Lyon explained.

"As much as he'd love to be playing, sometimes there's a relief when it's not quite going your way. They're only human, they would hear external criticism."

Hayden Ballantyne takes up pilates in a bid to avoid the soft-tissue problems that have plagued him throughout his career.

"I've done eight or nine weeks of pilates. I'm getting my flexibility up, a bit of core strength as well," he said.

"My hamstring flexibility has gotten a lot better. Calves, everything. Once you hit 30, apparently you're old, so I needed to do something."

Hayden Ballantyne signs a one-year deal with Fremantle to play on in 2018.

The 30-year-old endured a frustrating 2017 after ripping his hamstring tendon in the JLT Community Series but he played the final 10 games and booted 11 goals, and is keen to be part of the club's rebuild.

"I was flat when the season ended to be honest, as I was just starting to get a kick towards the end," Ballantyne said.

"I only played 10 games but next year I’ll be pushing for a good pre-season and hopefully a big season in 2018.

"It’s only early in the off-season so I haven’t set any goals for 2018 but I definitely will focus on having a big pre-season, staying fit and looking to play every game."

Hayden Ballantyne says he wants to continue his career for at least two more seasons.

"I love playing footy. I want to play as long as I can. As long as the body's willing, my mind will always be willing to play footy," he said.

"Fingers crossed it (a contract extension) is going to happen soon."

Ballantyne admitted he hasn't been hitting the scoreboard as much as he would like since his return from two hamstring setbacks.

"My form goalkicking-wise hasn't been the best (as) it has been in previous (years) but there's a lot of things outside of kicking goals that you guys (the media) don't see and don't appreciate that teams do," he said.

"The chase and tackle, that's what Ross really values from small forwards. Not letting the running defenders get out and dominate games off half-back.

"If we can stop the half-backs running off and setting up and kicking goals, then we've done our job."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon wants out-of-contract veteran Hayden Ballantyne to continue his career at the club in 2018.

"My position is I really value Hayden Ballantyne – so that's a pretty strong endorsement for Hayden," Lyon said.

"You need senior players with great character and work ethic to bring your young players through. Hopefully Hayden can be a part of that."

Hayden Ballantyne is set for a make-or-break return to senior football, with Fremantle preparing to pull the trigger on the feisty small forward's comeback from injury against bitter rivals Geelong.

"We know how hard he trains. He really competes. There's certainly plenty of opportunities there and it would be good to have his leadership as well," Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said of Ballantyne.

Hayden Ballantyne is set for another stint on the sidelines after damaging his surgically repaired hamstring in his WAFL comeback.

"Hayden returned to WAFL on the weekend after having suffered quite a significant hamstring injury that required surgery," Fremantle high performance manager Jason Weber said.

"During the game he suffered another injury at the opposite end of the same muscle.

"It's quite a minor injury, but on the back of the surgery at the other end it's probably going to take us three games, or thereabouts, to get that one right."

Hayden Ballantyne says playing to keep his career alive will be the last thing on his mind when he returns from hamstring surgery.

"That would be selfish of me to go out and play for my career (when I return)," Ballantyne told Channel Nine.

"I want to go out there and win games of footy and play finals with my team and do the best I can to improve that team.

"All that (contract) stuff is in the back of my mind. I'm not fazed one bit."

The Dockers confirm damage to Hayden Ballantyne's hamstring tendon that will require surgery.

"At this stage the medical advice is that Hayden will require a rehabilitation phase of eight-to-10 weeks," general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

"Once the rehabilitation process is completed and given Hayden’s strong pre-season, we expect him to make a significant contribution on his return to football."

Hayden Ballantyne is likely to miss up to a month of football after suffering a hamstring injury.

Ballantyne walked slowly from the ground during the third quarter of the Dockers' 21-point JLT Community Series win over Carlton and went straight to the rooms.

The injury occurred after he kicked, stumbled and fell over in the centre square.

Hayden Ballantyne plays down a tumultuous post-season that saw him explore a move away from the Dockers.

"My ambition was always to stay as a Fremantle player my whole career and the fact I'm here and training hard with the boys getting ready for 2017, I'm as happy as ever," Ballantyne said.

"(There was) a lot of outside noise, but I've got used to a lot of outside noise through my career.

"It was water off a duck's back for me. I was just focusing on what I need to focus on.

"My manager does a great job and he dealt with all the rubbish outside. For me, it didn't faze me in the slightest."

Hayden Ballantyne's hopes of joining West Coast during the NAB AFL Trade Period were effectively over when the Eagles recruited Sam Mitchell.

Head of football Craig Vozzo said West Coast simply couldn't afford to bring Ballantyne to the club after trading in a four-time premiership player and 2016 club champion in Mitchell.

"When we brought in Sam that made it very difficult to bring in another player of any significant value in terms of money," Vozzo said.

"That was basically the long and short of it, he’s a great little player but we’ve got TPP restrictions and we had priorities to fill."

Fremantle remains hopeful of keeping Hayden Ballantyne next season, with rival clubs yet to reveal any interest in the small forward.

"To this point we haven't had any club come to us wanting to trade for Hayden and Hayden's someone we'd like to retain," Dockers list manager Brad Lloyd told 6PR.

"He's been a really good player for us for many years and we'd like to see him playing at the club next year."

Fremantle has not given up hope of retaining small forward Hayden Ballantyne, with rival clubs yet to table strong interest in the fiery Docker.

Ballantyne has expressed interest in move to crosstown rival West Coast, but the Eagles are understood to be prioritising their search for a ruckman.

"Our feeling is he'll remain at the club next year and we'd like that to happen," Dockers list manager Brad Lloyd said.

"He's been a great player for the club and well-loved within the club, and he's someone we've always wanted to retain.

"We haven't had real strong interest or indications from any club that he'll be going there.

"We'll see what unfolds over the coming 10 days … I think he'll be playing for Fremantle again and we'd be really happy with that."

Hayden Ballantyne denies having asked for a trade from Fremantle, but admits a fresh start may be what he needs to return to his best football.

"I haven't asked for a trade and I haven't asked to be traded to any club," Ballantyne said.

"When there's talk of a rebuild and stuff like that, he (manager Colin Young) gets a bit antsy and starts feeling around for what's out there and gives us all the options and then we make a decision from there.

"I think I've got a lot of football in front of me. I've played some pretty good football along the way and I think I can get better again.

"I look at blokes like Eddie Betts who had a fresh start at a new club and he won his first All Australian last year and he's probably going to win it this year. So a fresh start is something that could be on the table."

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has refused to be drawn on a potential trade involving Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne, but admits the Eagles would be intrigued at the prospect.

"Everyone could do with a serial pest," Simpson told 3AW radio.

"He's a good player and it's something that I'm sure the club will look at once the timing is right for us."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon elaborates on the situation with Hayden Ballantyne after it was reported that the small forward had requested a trade from the club, preferably to West Coast.

Lyon had earlier denied knowing of any such trade request, a claim which many interpreted as being untruthful.

Lyon said he had had a conversation with Ballantyne, where the small forward asked about his next contract, "a three-year deal", and not specifically about a trade.

Lyon told Ballantyne that it was between Ballantyne's manager Colin Young and the Dockers' list manager Brad Lloyd.

"That's how I responded and then people inferred that I lied about that, which I'm not thrilled about," Lyon said.

"But clearly in the background Hayden's manager has then late this week, and even as late as Friday, gone and put some things forward to the club that we've now all become aware of. That's the exact situation."

Despite still being contracted to Fremantle in 2017, Hayden Ballantyne is reported to have requested a trade from the club, preferably to West Coast.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon, however, said Ballantyne had not spoken to him about any potential move away from Fremantle and he did not know of any discussions with the club.

"We're back to rumour, innuendo, and speculation," Lyon said.

"I deal in facts. So I don't have any facts on that to help you."

Hayden Ballantyne will require surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone suffered in Fremantle's loss to Geelong.

Ballantyne bravely played out the match on Friday despite fracturing his cheekbone in the second quarter. The Dockers are unclear how long he will be sidelined for but they are confident he will return before the end of the season.

"We know how determined Hayden will be to get back to playing as soon as possible, and he has a history of doing that," Dockers football manager Chris Bond said.

"But at this stage we will see how his recovery phase goes and be guided by medical advice to help establish his return date."

Hayden Ballantyne is not been penalised for using his phone during Fremantle's NAB Challenge clash but the AFL's competition integrity department has given him an official warning.

League CEO Gillon McLachlan says Hayden Ballantyne being caught using his mobile phone during a NAB Challenge match should act as a warning to players across the competition.

"The point is that I think the players need to wake up," McLachlan said.

"It's the first time we've had one of these … I think everyone instinctively feels he was calling family and friends.

"But there's only so many chances you get and (the) home and away (season) is different, and the context is different.

"There will be a significantly different outcome than I think will happen this time. Whether that's fines, suspensions or other, that's up to the integrity guys."

Hayden Ballantyne sustains a minor hamstring injury during Fremantle's NAB Challenge clash against Richmond but is expected to be available for round one.

Hayden Ballantyne appears set to be queried by the AFL's integrity unit after he was pictured using a mobile phone in the rooms during Fremantle's NAB Challenge clash with Richmond.

Under the AFL's integrity rules, players are strictly forbidden to use mobile phones during a match.

However, Dockers coach Ross Lyon hoped common sense would prevail.

"Let's hope he wasn't Instagram-ing anyone," Lyon said post-match.

"I'm sure the appropriate authorities at the AFL will look at that. I'm pretty sure it will be a short conversation."

After the least productive season of his career in 2015, Fremantle livewire Hayden Ballantyne aims to stay injury-free and avoid suspension in a bid to recapture his All Australian form of 2014.

"I've got to try to stay on the park for the whole season," he said.

"I've never played a full year of football. I've always missed some games each year through either injury or suspension.

"My aim for this year, as is every year, is to play the full season and do my role, which is to pressure and kick goals."

Hayden Ballantyne has been ruled out for the remainder of the home and away season after rupturing his pectoralis major tendon.

Ballantyne was subbed out of Fremantle's 42-point win over Carlton at half-time after suffering the injury while laying a tackle on Marc Murphy during the opening term.

He had his right shoulder strapped and was back on the field during the second term but was struggling to get any range of movement in his right arm.

Fremantle said scans had revealed the severity of the injury and the 2014 All Australian will undergo surgery.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon confirmed Ballantyne would be available in time for the finals.

"It's about a seven-week full recovery. He'll be running so he'll be fit but it puts him and us under some pressure," Lyon said.

Hayden Ballantyne will miss the next two weeks after accepting a two-match ban handed down by the Match Review Panel.

Ballantyne was charged with rough conduct on Geelong defender Harry Taylor in the last quarter of the Dockers' 44-point win over the Cats at Simonds Stadium in round 2.

It is the seventh time Ballantyne has been suspended in his 108-match career, but Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he is supportive of the way his aggressive forward plays.

"I love the way Hayden plays," Lyon said.

"But they haven't made a perfect player yet. We all try and improve our decision-making. I'm fully supportive of Hayden."

Lachie Neale says Dockers players dont want Hayden Ballantyne to change the way he plays despite the small forward incurring his third suspension in two years,

"We love the way that Hayden plays," Neale said.

"He plays on the edge and you can see it all the time. He's a really physical guy and loves to be in the contest.

"It was just an unfortunate incident, I think.

"It's not disappointing. We're not angry at him. It's just unfortunate that he's not playing. He's probably more disappointed himself than anyone else."

After breaking his jaw twice in 2014, Hayden Ballantyne says he may have to change his tackling technique.

"It's hard sometimes because you're not allowed to bump so you have to go in and tackle and being a bit shorter than most other guys, I'm at shoulder height to a lot of players, so I've got to be a bit careful," Ballantyne said.

"I don't know how I'm going to do it but I'll have to work on it and try and stop breaking my jaw."

Hayden Ballantyne will undergo surgery to repair a broken jaw, but the Dockers have not ruled him out of Saturday's cut-throat semi-final against Port Adelaide.

The All Australian nominee suffered the injury in an accidental clash during Saturday's 24-point loss to the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.

"It was a typically courageous performance by Hayden to play out the game with the injury," Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

"Hayden hasn't been ruled out of Saturday's game at this stage and will have to satisfy our medical staff about his fitness before he can be considered for selection."

Hayden Ballantyne accepts a one-match suspension for striking Greater Western Sydney's Tomas Bugg, and will miss the Dockers' clash with St Kilda this Saturday.

Ballantyne was reported for striking Bugg in the third quarter of Sunday's clash at Patersons Stadium and would have risked a two-match suspension if he had contested the charge.

It is the sixth suspension of Ballantyne's career.

Nick Suban says Hayden Ballantyne is as disappointed with this latest suspension as anyone else after he accepted a guilty plea for striking Greater Western Sydney's Tomas Bugg.

"If you talk to Hayden he'd be the most disappointed out of anyone," Suban said.

"But that's the way he plays. He'll move on and look forward to playing in a couple of weeks time."

Hayden Ballantyne is reported for striking Giant Tomas Bugg, the third time he has been reported in 2014.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, however, says he isn't overly concerned about the report.

"I see that there has been a report. He is playing very good footy, we will let that run it's course," Lyon said.

"I value Hayden and every time he is available I will pick Hayden. So that is where we are with Hayden."

Hayden Ballantyne becomes just the third Sandover medallist to go on to play 100 AFL games after winning the WAFL's best and fairest since the VFL expanded in 1986.

Ballantyne believes playing WAFL football and working a full-time job before getting drafted gave him a greater appreciation of how fortunate he is.

"It made me realise how lucky I am to be an AFL footballer," Ballantyne said.

"I was a boilermaker/welder for three years, and that wasn't a lot of fun working in the workshops. But now I'm playing football for a job and getting paid to do it, so I'm loving my job and loving playing footy at the moment."

Hayden Ballantyne believes he is playing the best football of his career, and credits Fremantle coach Ross Lyon as one of the major reasons.

"He points out the things you need to work on, and is just at you and at you and at you until you improve it," Ballantyne said.

"Just little things like recovery, and all the smaller things that I probably wasn't at the elite level like Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin and blokes like that.

"I think that's really helped, because Ross holds everyone so accountable to everything."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has lavished praise on Hayden Ballantyne after the small forward overcame a tight calf to boot six goals in the Dockers' 20-point win over Richmond at the MCG.

"He was fantastic, wasn't he? He's enormous. His chase and tackle from behind – there was a big one in the last quarter I reckon – and his ability to finish, he's just a great Fremantle person," Lyon said.

"(He had) a tight calf all week. He was really sore coming off, but he finds a way.

"He's a beauty. He doesn't sit in the formal leadership group, but he's a real team leader and a driver. No doubt."

Hayden Ballantyne is found not guilty by the AFL Tribunal after a clash with Adelaide's Matthew Jaensch in a decision which has met the approval of Dockers coach Ross Lyon.

Jaensch took no further part in the game after suffering concussion but Lyon says there was no ill-intent from Ballantyne.

"Certainly it was at the aggressive end of that, but the intention was to compete for the ball," Lyon said.

"That's what we coach our players on - if you make the ball your object, you'll be OK.

"Everyone saw it that way, so I was pleased for Hayden. But more importantly I'm pleased for AFL football."

Hayden Ballantyne undergoes minor jaw surgery after a clash with Port Adelaide's Jarman Impey but is still expected to line up this week against Geelong.

Impey was trying to gather the ball and Ballantyne came in low in an attempt to spoilt him, and hit the right side of his jaw against the Power youngster's shoulder.

"I think we were both going for the ball and he ended up under me and there was a bit of a clash," Impey said.

"He was a bit sore for a while and I told him to go off so I could have a rest. He stayed on – he wasn't too bad and played the game out."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has blasted Hayden Ballantyne, saying the Fremantle forward's undisciplined act against the Swans puts him "in the Colin Sylvia basket".

Ballantyne faces a one-match suspension after he was cited by the Match Review Panel for two incidents during the Dockers' loss to the Sydney Swans.

The small forward was charged with striking and kneeing offences against Swans defender Rhyce Shaw.

"(It's) disappointing, undisciplined," Lyon said.

"It's cost Hayden and the team. So he sits in the Colin Sylvia basket. He's let himself down first and the team."

Hayden Ballantyne signs a three-year contract extension with the Dockers that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

"I love the club, I love everything about it," Ballantyne said.

"I'm really happy that my family and I are staying here for another three years.

"This is my job, this is what I get paid to do and I'm very happy that the club has a lot of faith in me to be here for another three years to play some good football."

Hayden Ballantyne admits that his performance in the 2013 Grand Final against Hawthorn was disappointing.

"My performance was average at best. As I have said, I can't control that now," Ballantyne said.

"What's done is done. If we dwell on it now we can't do anything about the future, so we're working towards 2014 and that's what we have our sights set on."

Etihad Stadium management was forced to call extra security to the interchange area on Saturday night after Carlton fans abused Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne.

Ballantyne earned the wrath of the home crowd during the third quarter after he had his jumper ripped off and then won a free kick and 50-metre penalty, kicking a goal with his torso exposed.

He exchanged words with several Carlton players before jogging to the bench to receive a new jumper.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says Hayden Ballantyne is valued at the Dockers for more than his goalkicking.

"He averages two or three goals per week if you want to go by the numbers," Lyon said.

"But it's more than that. He makes us a better team because he works hard for his teammates and allows them to play better footy as well.

"It's everything Hayden brings outside of his goalkicking."

Hayden Ballantyne will be out for at least two games with a hamstring injury.

Collingwood star Heath Shaw may come under video scrutiny for an 'off the ball' incident involving Docker Hayden Ballantyne.

The umpire's microphone picked up Ballantyne saying "he punched me in the nuts''.

Chris Mayne urges teammate Hayden Ballantyne to remain aggressive despite Ballantyne's poor disciplinary record.

Mayne says Ballantyne's latest transgression was a result of the small forward trying to protect Nathan Fyfe from a tagger.

"We believe Hayden plays his best footy when he comes close to the edge," Mayne said.

"We're 22 brothers out there looking after each other, and he's definitely one that always cares about his mates."

Hayden Ballantyne accepts a one-match suspension for an off-the-ball hit on West Coast's Scott Selwood.

Steve Johnson will miss the Cats' round 1 clash with Hawthorn after accepting a one-match ban for striking Hayden Ballantyne during Geelong's NAB Cup match against Fremantle.

Steve Johnson may be under scrutiny by the Match Review Panel after landing a blow to Docker Hayden Ballantyne's midriff during the Cats' clash with Fremantle in the NAB Cup, leaving the small Docker forward hunched over in apparent pain.

"I didn't really see what happened. I know he (Ballantyne) was down for a long time, but I was more concerned with how quickly he got up and set up the next goal," Geelong coach Chris Scott said.

"He didn't look too bad, did he?"

Hayden Ballantyne says he plans to be more disciplined on the field after being suspended for three games in 2012 due to off-the-ball hits to Geelong's Paul Chapman and Richmond's Chris Newman.

"Missing games of footy is disappointing no matter what it's for, whether it's injury or suspension," Ballantyne said.

"But that's something I can help. [If I'm] not doing silly things like that I'll be on the park for every game next year."

Chris Mayne says Hayden Ballantyne has grown as a player this season.

"He learnt the hard way early on in the season what was expected of him and I think at the moment he's really playing great football," Mayne said.

"He's just matured as a footballer. He's become really great at the way he wants to play his football … putting his head of the football, chasing blokes, tackling. That's what we expect from him."

Geelong star Matthew Scarlett believes he cost the Cats four points when he punched Hayden Ballantyne.

"I was pretty frustrated at the time and wasn't having a great game," Scarlett told Channel Nine's Footy Classified.

"I do regret it. I reckon ultimately that cost us the game that night. It cost us two goals and we only lost by (four) points.

"If it comes really close at the end of the year and we miss the top four or the top eight by a game, I'll be pretty flat with that."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he will persist in using Hayden Ballantyne as a midfielder despite concerns over his form.

Since returning from a two-week suspension in round four, Ballantyne has averaged under 14 possessions a game and has kicked just four goals after playing predominantly as a midfielder.

"I'm a pretty persistent person and I'll stick with what I believe in," Lyon said.

"It's easy to look at peoples' failures but he was a catalyst for our round one win, and [against] the Saints in the last quarter. So he's been a catalyst at times in the midfield."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says pesky forward Hayden Ballantyne has to stop 'milking free kicks'.

"It's that milking that we've put on the agenda," Lyon said.

"He doesn't want to be remembered for that. What he wants to be remembered for is his great ball winning and pace and goalkicking and enthusiasm."

Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett looks almost certain to be suspended after appearing to punch Docker Hayden Ballantyne who was getting under the full back's skin.

"It cost us a goal, they got two goals, and we lost by four points," Geelong coach Chris Scott said before pointing out that he did not necessarily disapprove of Ballantyne's antics.

"He is niggly that's within the rules, you are allowed to get in people's face, you are allowed to say nasty things to them, you are allowed to press your head underneath their chin and the rules say you can't react."

Matthew Pavlich has been retained as skipper of Fremantle with a five-man leadership group to assist him that will include Aaron Sandilands, Luke McPharlin, David Mundy, Matt de Boer and Hayden Ballantyne.

"It's humbling to know my peers and the coaching group hold me in that esteem," Pavlich said.

"I understand the responsibility that goes with the role and, hopefully, I can continue to develop and grow."

Ballantyne says his appointment to the leadership group is an honour.

"We have certain criteria that we hold ourselves to and I've worked as hard as I can to maintain those standards and it's been noticed by the team," Ballantyne said.

Hayden Ballantyne says he's ready to make the move into midfield after spending most of his career as a forward.

"All my pre-season training has been around the midfield area. I'll still play forward but hopefully I'll get a bit more midfield time this year," Ballantyne said.

"Now that the fitness base is up and I've done a good pre-season, hopefully I'll get the chance.

"Getting my head around the centre bounce structures has been the hardest thing for me. It's pretty technical compared to playing down in the forward line and just running amuck."

Fremantle is hoping to add speed to its midfield through pacey forward Hayden Ballantyne.

"[Playing Ballantyne in the middle] will add a fair bit of pace to our midfield group," Fremantle stoppages coach Mark Stone said.

"We do have a lot of big guys, so with [Stephen] Hill and him in there that might give us a bit of leg speed that we're looking for. We're trying to develop that side of his game."

Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne will not play the rest of the home and away season after being diagnosed with a foot stress reaction.

Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne says missing out on two drafts has made him more desperate to produce at the top level.

"I was always hoping I was going to get a chance and I was lucky Freo gave me the chance," Ballantyne said.

"I knew it was going to take a lot of hard work and I was a bit edgy on whether I was going to get picked up. The more you miss the harder you want to work and try get to it."

Fremantle's needs for a small forward might see Hayden Ballantyne debut against Collingwood on Saturday.

"He plays at a really high tempo, so it wouldn't matter whether he played at WAFL level or AFL level, it would be the same risk," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said about Ballantyne.

"If you have a look at Collingwood, and possibly sides that have beaten them this year, sometimes a small forward can hurt them."

Fremantly may select Hayden Ballantyne this week, even though he has not played a competitive game this season.

"Ballantyne might be a guy that we might look at," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

"He's had five months of running and training. Not football content, but five months of training."