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Wantaway Ballantyne inspired by Betts

Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne has dismissed reports he’s fallen out with Nat Fyfe, but says it might be time for him to make a fresh start at a new AFL club.

Aug 17, 2016, updated Aug 17, 2016
Hayden Ballantyne could seek a trade to crosstown rivals West Coast. Photo: Tony McDonough, AAP.

Hayden Ballantyne could seek a trade to crosstown rivals West Coast. Photo: Tony McDonough, AAP.

Ballantyne could be traded to arch rivals West Coast after his request for a two-year contract extension wasn’t granted by the Dockers earlier this year.

The 29-year-old is still contracted with Fremantle for next season, but it appears highly unlikely he’ll see out that deal.

Rumours of player unrest are growing at the Dockers, and coach Ross Lyon is determined to weed out the “loud minority”.

Some reports have suggested that a number of players are unhappy with the leadership style of Brownlow medallist Fyfe.

Ballantyne was reportedly one of those players, but he has denied that’s the case.

However, with the Dockers set to embark on a rebuild, Ballantyne says he will seriously consider a move away from the club.

“I think I’ve got a lot of football in front of me,” Ballantyne told Channel 9.

“I’ve played some pretty good football along the way, and I think I can get better again.

“I look at blokes like Eddie Betts who had a fresh start at a new club (moving from Carlton to Adelaide).

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“He won his first All-Australian last year, and he’s probably going to win it this year. So a fresh start is something that could be on the table.”

Ballantyne says he has left his manager Colin Young to do the sniffing around.

“When there’s talk of a rebuild, he gets a bit antsy and starts feeling around for what’s out there,” Ballantyne said.

“(He) gives us all the options, and then we make a decision from there.

“I haven’t asked for a trade, and I haven’t been asked to be traded to any club.

“But if I could see myself playing good football somewhere else, then it’s a possibility.”

Skipper David Mundy said the rumours of player unrest were off the mark.

But he admits the demanding leadership style that he, Fyfe, and Lyon implement could put some players “offside” at times.

The Dockers (3-17) sit in 16th spot on the table heading into Saturday’s clash with GWS at Spotless Stadium.

-AAP

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