Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Fremantle are “building a monster”, with former Dockers star Hayden Ballantyne hopeful an AFL dynasty is on the horizon.
Part of the losing 2013 grand final squad, former goalsneak Ballantyne believes Fremantle’s inspiring run to Saturday’s decider is an indicator of what is to come for the once “shit-canned” Dockers.
Fremantle will take on Brisbane at the MCG in their search for a maiden flag, featuring in just their second grand final since their inaugural 1995 season.
The Dockers are the sixth-least experienced team in the league, with this year’s playing list averaging 65.8 games.
Back-to-back reigning premiers Brisbane boast an average of 88.6 games to rank third.
But that hasn’t stopped the Dockers from standing tall on the September stage.
Small forward Isaiah Dudley – in his 42nd game – kicked two crucial goals to help spur Fremantle’s comeback preliminary final over Sydney, while cult hero Patrick Voss came to life after a lacklustre first half in game No.52.
Ballantyne heaped praise on the young Dockers squad, having seen their development up close during stints as a skills coach at Fremantle and WAFL club Peel Thunder.
“They respond when they need to respond,” Ballantyne said on Monday.
“There’s more blokes under 25 than over, so they’re building a monster.
“Hopefully this is just the start of some sustained success for the club.”
Retiring Sam Switkowski is the veteran in the forward line with 130 games across nine seasons, leading Michael Frederick (123), and key talls Josh Treacy (106) and Jye Amiss (96).
Ballantyne wouldn’t waste time speculating on how the group would line up against a Lions defence led by the all-conquering Harris Andrews.
“They’re very different. We stick to our show,” Ballanynte said.
“Our three talls are very different to their talls as well. What do they call them – the three-headed monster?
“Who knows who can pop up and kick some goals? And then we got some really crafty smalls to get to their feet.
“They’re lively, they’re fast, they tackle, they kick goals. I love watching little Dudz (Dudley) run around.”
Ballantyne will make the 3000km journey from Fremantle to the MCG on board a bus sponsored by PointsBet with Dockers fans.
The 2014 All-Australian joked there was only one thing he would change about grand final week in 2013 – having a win instead of the 15-point loss that kicked off Hawthorn’s three-peat.
“It’s good everyone’s getting behind Freo. The club deserves it,” he said.
“We’ve been shit-canned a little bit over the few years, and now that we’re going well, everyone’s getting on board.”
