The small forward was reported in Sunday’s game against Greater Western Sydney for an off-the-ball incident against Tomas Bugg.
The AFL Match Review Panel deemed the incident as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This was a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a level two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction.
He had an existing bad record of 87.50 demerit points carried over from within the past 12 months, increasing the penalty to 212.50 points and a two-match sanction. The early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to 159.38 points and a one-match sanction.
Ballantyne will miss Freo’s round 18 match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
He has been the AFL’s form small forward, having kicked 22 goals in his past five matches.
His 38 goals for the year so far are the most he’s ever booted in a season, and there’s still six games remaining before finals.
