Fremantle will be without leading goalkicker Hayden Ballantyne for Saturday’s semi-final clash against Port Adelaide.
The small forward sustained a broken jaw in last weekend’s qualifying final loss to Sydney and has failed to recover from Monday’s surgery.
The 174cm goal sneak was considered a chance to play against the Power after overcoming a similar injury in just a four-day turnaround earlier in the season, however captain Matthew Pavlich is hopeful Fremantle can recreate Ballantyne’s scoring and ball pressure.
“Realistically, the next player steps in and plays Hayden’s role, but we know he’s had a fantastic year, he’s kicked near on 50 goals and had a great impact defensively for us as well,” Pavlich told FremantleFC.com.au.
“If it’s Hayden Crozier, if it’s Matt de Boer or if it’s someone else, whoever steps into that role has got big shoes to fill, not literally speaking, but figuratively speaking at least.”
Meanwhile Port will travel to Perth with the same side that smashed Richmond by 57 points last weekend after coach Ken Hinkley declared Matt White fit to play.
White also suffered a broken jaw in last weekend’s opening round of finals action and will risk enduring further pain and damage to the injury.
“There is always that slight danger that you could get another hit and do some more damage, but there is always that danger in every game we play,” Hinkley said from Adelaide Airport on Thursday.
“I’m really confident. And Matty is really confident, that is the key message, he’s really confident and ready to play so we’ll take him over and see how he goes.”
The two sides met a fortnight ago in the round 23 clash at Patersons Stadium where Fremantle emerged eight-point winners to secure fourth spot on the AFL ladder and ensure a second-chance finals opportunity, but they will have to again contend with an underdone Michael Barlow, still wearing a moon boot on Thursday after pulling up gingerly after the loss to the Swans.
“At this stage, something would have to go very much amiss for me not to be taking to the field on Saturday night,” Barlow told radio station 6PR.
“There’s slight pain in there, but it’s nothing dissimilar to carrying a little niggle at this time of year.
“So it’s definitely something I’ll be able to play with. I’ve just got to keep the load off it as much as I can during the week. I’m doing everything right to make sure it stays as nice and smooth as we can this week.”
Barlow missed round 22 with a broken thumb, however returned from the injury a week later, earlier than expected, to help close out the Power.
Fremantle hosts Port Adelaide at 5:45PM on Saturday.
Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
