Ballentyne Set For Debut

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has strongly hinted the highly-anticipated debut of $86k rookie forward Hayden Ballentyne will be this weekend against Collingwood.

Ballentyne's debut has been the subject of plenty of talk and speculation, but recent wrist and back injuries have delayed his first AFL game.

But now the youngster is fit and ready to play and Harvey has admitted he's a good chance for a run against the Pies at the MCG on Saturday.

"We've got a number of guys who we're looking at at the training session. Hayden's one of them."

Referring to the risk of rushing Ballantyne back after his recent injuries, Harvey added, "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.

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

Many DT coaches have eyed off Ballentyne as a cheap forward to potentially replace injured Kangaroo Jack Ziebell.

Harvey didn't comment on whether other Dockers' youngsters Michael Walters ($86k mid/forward) and Clancee Pearce ($75k def) would play this weekend, but acknowledged Des Headland and Brett Peake were pushing for a game this Saturday.