Opposition players will need to expect the unexpected if they’re to handle the Fremantle’ forward line in 2017, according to Hayden Ballantyne.
The small forward opened up on Wednesday on how Fremantle plans to kick more goals in 2017 with a new look line-up.
Under the tutelage of new forward coach David Hale, the forward line will see new signings Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten join the likes of Ballantyne, Michael Walters, Michael Apeness and Matt Taberner up front.
Hale worked as a development coach with Fremantle in 2016, coming to the club after three premiership seasons as a member of Hawthorn’s coaching staff.
For the 2017 season, Hale has transitioned to the forward coaching role, and Ballantyne is excited about what lies ahead.
“David’s come in with a few different little changes to how we’re going to play,” Ballantyne said.
“He put it as a bit more instinctive type of footy where we can interchange a bit with our talls and smalls moving up and down the ground.”
For Ballantyne, it allows more leeway to embrace his fiery and determined style of play.
“Hopefully, it will get us all around the ground a bit more,” Ballantyne said.
“I think it’ll help everyone. If I don’t know in advance what I’m going to do next, how is the opposition going to know? When you play on instinct it makes it a lot easier.”
In his third week of pre-season training, Ballantyne has been upbeat at the club after getting married to long-term partner Alyssa Hennessy at the weekend.
With speculation of a potential trade late in the 2016, Ballantyne expressed his delight in remaining with Fremantle.
“I was stoked, It’s always been my ambition to stay as a Fremantle player for my whole career,” Ballantyne said.
“The fact I’m here and training hard with the boys and getting ready for 2017, I’m as happy as ever.”
And the message from senior coach Ross Lyon to Ballantyne was to keep working hard.
“I said (to Ross) ‘what do you need for me in 2017’ and he was stoked with that,” Ballantyne said.
“He said to get my head down, bum up and get into pre-season and that’s what I’m excited for.”
