Freo have swapped Hayden’s for the second week running, with Ballantyne replacing Crozier in the 22 to face Essendon in Friday night’s Starlight Purple Haze Game at Patersons Stadium.

Ballantyne was suspended for the club’s round 2 match against the Western Bulldogs but returns for the clash with the undefeated Bombers.

The emergencies are Crozier, Jack Hannath and Tom Sheridan.

Fremantle general manager of football Chris Bond said Ballantyne would be a welcome participant in any game Freo played.

“The way he goes about it is really what we stand for,” Bond said.

“We’re really expecting him to have an impact. He’d be disappointed to miss a game through suspension, so he’ll be very keen to have a go on Friday.”

Bond added that the club was very happy with the progress Crozier had made in his second AFL season and that the 20-year-old was unlucky to miss out on selection.

“He’s certainly contributed every time that he’s played, but at the moment, it’s a quality player that’s coming back into the team", Bond said.

“We’ve got no doubt that young Crozier has a good a really good future at this club.”

On the Bombers, Bond said James Hird’s side was a quality outfit in top form because their best players were fit and available.

“They’ve got great pace and some good hard ball winners,” he said.

“Obviously, Jobe Watson leads from the front and they’ve got some key targets up forward.”

One of those targets was brilliant young tall Michael Hurley, who kicked six against Freo in round 13 last year and has been the second-most targeted player inside 50 in the AFL this season.

But Bond said Freo couldn’t concentrate on just one player.

“Hurley’s a very talented player who’ll have to be watched, but they’ve got other players who’ve been kicking goals for them as well,” the football GM said.

“It’s across the board and that’s why they’re improving and they’re playing good footy.

“They’re not relying on one or two players.

“It’s going to be a huge, challenging game, but these are the games that we want to play.”

Full Fremantle Team:

1Hayden Ballantyne
3Zac Dawson
6Danyle Pearce
7Nathan Fyfe
8Nick Suban
9Matt de Boer
10Michael Walters
12Jon Griffin
13Tendai Mzungu
15Ryan Crowley
16David Mundy
18Luke McPharlin
21Michael Barlow
23Chris Mayne
26Kepler Bradley
29Matthew Pavlich
32Stephen Hill
33Cam Sutcliffe
34Lee Spurr
37Michael Johnson
41Paul Duffield
46Clancee Pearce
11Tom Sheridan (Emergency)
17Hayden Crozier (Emergency)
38Jack Hannath (Emergency)


2013 STARLIGHT PURPLE HAZE GAME: Friday 12 April v Essendon at Patersons Stadium, 6.40pm bounce down. Dress in purple to WIN! Proudly supported by Fremantle Ports. Find out how you can help Starlight here.

Can't make it to the Starlight Purple Haze Game but want to make a difference?
Download the free Give Easy App now!
Click here for desktop
Click here for iPhone/iPad