Hayden Ballantyne says he has a good reason to look forward to Harley Bennell’s return to AFL football, with the fellow Peel product aiming to keep Fremantle’s forwards busy if he is selected this Sunday against Richmond at Domain Stadium.
The return of Bennell would only add to the occasion as Ballantyne plays his 150th game in Freo’s final match at Domain Stadium.
Bennell hasn’t featured at AFL level since round 22 of the 2015 season, in what was his final appearance for Gold Coast before being traded to Fremantle.
Multiple calf injuries have kept the talented former no.2 draft pick out of AFL action since arriving at Fremantle.
Bennell has featured in Peel’s past four games as he builds to an eventual return – kicking 2.2 in Saturday’s win over Perth at Rushton Park.
“Harley promised me he’s going to hit me on the chest six times if he plays this weekend, so fingers crossed he gets out there and does that,” Ballantyne said.
“He’s been playing some good footy down at Peel, and we know how much of a super talent he is. Hopefully, the big fella gets out there.
“He’s exciting and I’d love to get out there and have a game with him.”
Ballantyne says there’s nothing to read into Bennell’s low disposal count in the WAFL, averaging just under 10 touches per game with limited game time.
“It’s all about his run and what he’s doing without the ball,” Ballantyne said.
“It’s pretty hard to play in the forward line these days and Harley’s realising that as well.
“Get him in there and running around, I’ll be quite happy to take a few of his kicks on the chest.”
Coming off a 104-point loss to Sydney, Ballantyne added that he doesn’t think Freo will need to use Bennell's potential return as a motivator.
“I hope it doesn’t take that to give us a lift,” Ballantyne said.
“We want to get up and about as we’re bitterly disappointed by what we dished up last week and we want to improve on that.
“Fingers crossed Harley’s going to be out there running around with us but hopefully, it doesn’t take that to give us a lift. We’re better than that.”
