Hope for Ballantyne

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has thrown his support behind out-of-form veteran Hayden Ballantyne, hinting he wants to re-sign the goalsneak for 2018.

Ballantyne has been grounded for most of the season with hamstring issues and kicked just one goal from eight disposals in the Dockers’ derby loss to West Coast on Sunday.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season but Lyon said it was important to keep senior players like Ballantyne around to help guide younger footballers.