Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne will be fit to return for Sunday’s AFL clash with Brisbane at the Gabba.
But the availability of Nat Fyfe is up in the air after the star midfielder was involved in two off-the-ball incidents in Fremantle’s 19-point win over Hawthorn.
Ballantyne was a late withdrawal against the Hawks due to lingering doubts over the hamstring he tweaked against Geelong eight days earlier.
Lyon revealed he was the one who made the late call to withdraw Ballantyne despite the 27-year-old meeting all of his key performance indicators during the week.
“He wanted to play. He’s an animal. He had met all the KPIs, but there was a risk,” Lyon said.
“I had strong advice he shouldn’t play, so it was left with me.
“He should be available (against Brisbane).”
Ballantyne’s likely inclusion will add further potency to a Fremantle forward half after Michael Walters made a successful return from injury against the Hawks.
Walters, playing his first match since injuring ligaments in his ankle in round three, tallied 15 possessions, kicked one goal and had four score assists to help power Fremantle to the 17.8 (110) to 13.13 (91) victory.
Fyfe is set to come under scrutiny from the AFL’s match review panel for a high, off-the-ball hit on Jordan Lewis that left the Hawks midfielder momentarily dazed.
The 22-year-old’s altercation with Will Langford could also be looked at.
Fyfe is already out of Brownlow medal contention after copping a controversial two-match ban earlier this season for a bump that resulted in an accidental head clash.
Although his two incidents against Hawthorn appeared minor, any suspension would be an inconvenience so close to the finals.
Fremantle’s win over Hawthorn kept the Dockers a game clear of Port Adelaide in the race for fourth spot.
The Power take on Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, before facing Fremantle in Perth in a game that could decide fourth spot.
Lyon is wary of the challenge Brisbane will pose his side after watching the Lions dismantle Collingwood by 67 points at the MCG on Saturday.
