Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 
Ballantyne a tasty selection

Ballantyne a tasty selection

01/12/2008 1:57 PM

As the dust settles from this year's AFL national draft the question is which club has pulled off the best value selection?

While much of the focus on Saturday was naturally on the top selections there were several players that were picked up much lower in the order than expected that could well turn out better players than those chosen in the first round.

Amongst those considered real bargains were Shaun McKernan, younger brother of former North Melbourne and Carlton star Corey, was who taken at pick 28 by Adelaide, Jackson Trengrove who was taken at pick 22 by Port Adelaide and Ashley Smith who was taken at pick 36 by the Eagles.

But while most of this year's draftees have only proven they are gun players at junior level, one draftee has not only shown he can play well amongst the men but in fact dominate.

Hayden Ballantyne, who was claimed by Fremantle at pick 21 from WAFL club Peel Thunder, at 21 is older than the average draftee but at 174cm is also one of the smallest players drafted on Saturday.

But Ballantyne could well emerge as the AFL's next outstanding small forward if he can re-produce his WAFL form in the AFL.

The small forward not only won this year's Sandover Medal - an outstanding feat in itself while playing as a specialist forward - but kicked 75 goals for the season to finish second on the WAFL goalkicking tally.

Described as a cross between former West Coast goalsneak Phillip Matera and former Fremantle and now Collingwood star Paul Medhurst, Ballantyne is not only quick but is also a great mark for his size.

Certainly the Dockers could not be more excited about snaring a player who looms as the obvious replacement for the retired Jeff Farmer.

"We are pretty excited for him to step up next year - he has had a fantastic year in WAFL footy and he is a hard-working forward who can kick goals," Dockers recruiter Brad Lloyd said.

"We need a goalkicking forward and we think he fits us perfectly.

Fremantle recruiting manager Phil Smart said the club had been closely monitoring Ballantyne for a while and was confident he would not only defy his lack of height to be a success in the AFL but could also even develop into a midfielder as well as a star goalsneak.

"We watched him coming up through his under 17's and 18's years but I reckon

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
Page12»
Comments
Posted by Arma at
05/12/2008 09:30 AM
With a headline like that Goughy, I was hoping for a few 'Uncle Doug' references in the article. Or even just, "Ballantyne - a tasty selection - woof, woof .... woof, woof, woof".
Submit a comment
Name
Email
Comment

Mondayitis

 
 

Mondayitis

Every Monday Bruce Eva, Peter 'Crackers' Keenan and Paul Gough will look back over the round that's been and look forward to everything that's coming up. Click here for the latest episode.

 

Latest AFL Headlines

 
 
Johnson return unclear
Johnson return unclear
AFL
19/03/2010 11:35 AM
Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson can hardly wait to play alongside Barry Hall. The ...
 
 
Demetriou warns FFA
AFL
19/03/2010 11:17 AM
 
Cats still purring
AFL
19/03/2010 8:09 AM
 
Maguire tipped to shine
AFL
18/03/2010 9:26 PM
 
Cousins likely to play
AFL
18/03/2010 5:25 PM
 
Cats' reign to end?
AFL
18/03/2010 4:23 PM
 
Burton named AFLPA president
AFL
17/03/2010 8:18 PM
 
Hawks lose Skipper
AFL
17/03/2010 6:32 PM
 
Varcoe blow for Cats
AFL
17/03/2010 12:59 PM
 
King's ban reduced
AFL
16/03/2010 8:00 PM
 
 
 

Latest AFL Audio

 
 

Our Say

 
 
Paul Gough
NAB Cup points the way
Paul Gough
The NAB Cup grand final could well prove a great form line when it comes to sorting out ...more
Paul Gough
NAB Cup? Press snooze
Paul Gough
Just as one-day cricket has run its race, so too it appears has the NAB Cup.more
 

Your Say