Ballentyne In The Mix

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has admitted Dockers $86k rookie Hayden Ballentyne is ready to play AFL footy, but didn't reveal if it would be this week or next round.

The young forward, who almost 13,000 DT coaches already own and many more are sizing up, was a late withdrawal for Freo's last match against Port and faces a fitness test for this weekend's Geelong game.

Ballentyne, Freo's number 21 selection at the 2008 AFL Draft, has a back problem but is definitely in the mix for a game.

"We think he's up for playing AFL, but we'll be guided by our fitness and strength guys," Harvey said.

"He's had a spasm and it's taken a bit longer [than expected to recover]. It's a fine line all of this. You don't want to be breaking him down at this stage."

Harvey did reveal key defensive duo Antoni Grover ($239k) and Luke McPharlin ($252k) would return this weekend against the Cats after injuries, while Des Headland (a $263k forward) would face a fitness test after a quad problem.

Young tall forward Adam Campbell ($226k), who was concussed early against Port last round, has recovered from concussion also and will be available for the Geelong game.

The Dockers coach also acknowledged $282k defender Michael Johnson (ankle) and $251k forward Chris Mayne (stress fractures) were at least a fortnight away.

Read more »

Around The Grounds

• Port Adelaide star forward Daniel Motlop will be out of action for up to 8 weeks with his latest ankle injury. Motlop has had a pin inserted in his fractured left ankle which is bad news for the 22,000 DT coaches who own Motlop, as it's time to trade. More bad news is his value will drop $29k down to $249k after the split-round lockout meaning his trade won't be a huge moneyspinner.

• A big question this weekend is whether or not Collingwood's $324k forward Paul Medhurst will be fit to face Sydney having played in the reserves on the weekend. Well Collingwood's reserves manager Paul Licuria's comments to the Australian might be an indication. Licuria said, "We were told to play Paul for 50 per cent of the match. He put in some great patches of play that showed he is a senior player, a player you would think about bringing in against the Swans this week."
  

• Sydney Swans $268k defender Craig Bolton is rated a 50-50 chance to play Collingwood this week due to a medial ligament strain. Swans coach Paul Roos said, “He ran a little bit yesterday, he’s certainly improving every day. He’ll be touch and go before the game so we’ll obviously leave it as late as we possibly can.”
  

• According to afl.com.au, Port Adelaide pair Alipate Carlile and Hamish Hartlett are expected to be fit for the Power's next match against Geelong. Carlile, a $181k defender, has had a virus recently while Hartlett, a fairly popular DT midfielder at $212k, has had hamstring problems.
  

• Hawks assistant John Barker has claimed $234k defender Stephen Gilham and $335k midfielder Rick Ladson are close to an AFL game after playing in the VFL following knee injuries. Barker also added $182k defender Trent Croad (foot) was getting closer too saying, “We are hopeful he will play a role in the second half of the year at some stage."

Read more »