Docker Silvagni gets another AFL crack

Fremantle defender Alex Silvagni will get the chance for redemption when he lines up against Collingwood power forward Travis Cloke in Saturday’s crucial AFL clash at the MCG.

Silvagni was monstered by Michael Hurley last week, with the Essendon key forward finishing with six goals in a match-winning effort.

Cloke booted five goals in last week’s win over West Coast and again looms as a key figure for the ladder-leading Magpies.

With Dockers’ defender Zac Dawson still battling a knee injury, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has stuck with Silvagni, and is backing the 24-year-old to rebound on the biggest stage.

“He wasn’t at his best last week so he gets another opportunity to prove his worth and get going, so that’s exciting for him,” Lyon said on Thursday.

Another player who will be aiming for a slice of redemption is Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne, who makes his return from his second suspension of the year.

Ballantyne normally produces his best football when he allows his niggling side to shine, but Lyon said the 24-year-old needed to learn how to control himself out on the field.

“I can’t speak for Hayden so (the) proof’s in the pudding,” Lyon said when asked whether Ballantyne had learnt his lesson.

“He’s certainly eager and we’d rather have him available.

“There’s no use having your most talented players in the grandstand through injury or suspension.

“We’d like to think he can harness his enthusiasm in the right manner and be really productive for us.”

Collingwood have won their past nine matches to storm into premiership favouritism, and Lyon said the Dockers (6-6) would need to be on top of their game to match the ‘Pies.

“They are a benchmark team in the competition that has won their last nine in a row and they’ve got 16 premiership players playing,” Lyon said.

“You like to play the best and get a measure of where you’re at and we’re looking forward to getting back to the MCG in similar conditions with wet and cold.

“But we’ll see the who the competitors in the team and the club are, and we’re pretty keen to give great effort and see where we’re at.”

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