Fremantle forward Michael Walters says he was amazed by fellow forward Hayden Ballantyne’s quick recovery from a serious injury to play in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.
Ballantyne (3 goals) and Walters (3) starred in Freo’s nine-point win over Sydney at Domain Stadium.
It is remarkable Ballantyne played, after he tore his pectoral tendon from his shoulder bone in round 16.
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He was expected to miss 10 weeks but just eight weeks later, stepped onto the ground.
“I was watching him in rehab over the past eight weeks,” Walters said.
“He couldn’t have done anything more to get himself back.
“He gave 100 per cent effort in rehab.”
“Ballas always gives 100 per cent, you could see that out on the ground today.”
The pair are a crucial cog in Freo’s forward line and ran rampant in the first half.
“Ballas put in the hard yards and the goals came,” Walters said.
“It’s always good to have him in the side because he puts in the hard yards.
“I was happy to play my role."
Walters had not played for two weeks due to a calf injury.
He said he felt no lasting effects after the game but declared missed game-time did catch up with him in the second half.
“I feel pretty good,” he said.
“It took its toll, especially in that last half, I got a bit tired and fatigued.”
The week off has come at a great time for Walters and a number of other Fremantle stars with lingering injuries, to re-cooperate before a Preliminary Final in two weeks time.
