Games – 18 (21)
Goals – 32 (31)
Disposals per game: 13.4 – 24th (15.1 - 16th)
Contested possessions per game: 5.8 – 16th (7.3 - 11th)
Uncontested possessions per game: 7.9 – 24th (8 - 18th)
Handball efficiency: 66.1 – 36th (71.6% - 30th)
Kicking efficiency: 52.7 – 37th (58.9% - 29th)
Marks per game: 4.2 – 17th (2.8 - 28th)
Tackles per game: 2.9 - 14th (3.8 - 8th)
*rankings are at Freo
Highlights – Ballantyne kicked five goals against St Kilda in round 15, but perhaps his best game of the season was in round 19 against Carlton, when he kicked three goals and helped put on a small forward master-class with Michael Walters. His running goal against GWS in round 20 was one of the best kicked in the AFL this season.
Summary – Another typically strong effort from Ballantyne in the home and away season. He kicked goals regularly and pressured opponents in Fremantle’s forward line with the ferocity fans have become accustomed to.?
Finals
Qualifying Final – 8 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal
Preliminary Final – 13 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 goal
Grand Final – 14 disposals
Summary – Ballantyne was very solid in the club’s first two finals, but he did not have a major impact in the Grand Final.
Outlook: At 26, Ballantyne’s game is well rounded, and his performance in the Grand Final will drive him over the off and pre seasons. One of the hardest workers on the track, Ballantyne will look for a big 2014 season. He will pressure and kick goals as a small forward again next year, but he will also look to get his hands on the football more often, considering he didn’t gain 20 touches in a single game in 2013.
