Dockers not angry over Ballantyne ban

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says the act that got Hayden Ballantyne suspended was a split-second decision.

Hayden Ballantyne of Fremantle

Fremantle's AFL coach says the act that got Hayden Ballantyne suspended was a split-second decision. (AAP)

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he still loves the way Hayden Ballantyne plays despite the goalsneak falling foul of the AFL's match review panel yet again.

Ballantyne was handed a two-match suspension for his high bump on Harry Taylor in Sunday's 44-point win over Geelong.

Lyon confirmed the club wouldn't fight the ban, meaning Ballantyne has now been suspended seven times during his 108-game career.

The 27-year-old will miss crunch games against West Coast and Sydney before returning for the May 3 clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

Lyon conceded Ballantyne wasn't perfect, but he didn't think the goalsneak's latest incident was anything malicious.

"I love the way Hayden plays," Lyon told Perth radio station 6PR.

"They haven't made a perfect player yet. We've got to try to improve our decision making.

"It's two weeks, so that will go pretty quick. We'd love him playing, but it was a split-second decision, it all happens really quickly. (I'm) fully supportive of Hayden."

Hayden Crozier and Tendai Mzungu are the leading candidates to earn recalls for Sunday's derby against West Coast, while Connor Blakely and Max Duffy are other options.

Ruckman Zac Clarke is in doubt after hurting his knee against Geelong.

Dockers forward Matt Taberner tallied just eight disposals and one goal against the Cats, but Lyon felt the 21-year-old performed an important role as a foil for Matthew Pavlich.

"The longer it went, the more he fitted in," Lyon said.

"With a game under his belt, he'll be better for the run.

"The extra height was really handy. It was the right selection. He brought the ball to ground a few times and let Walters, Ballantyne and those guys do their work.

"I thought he played his part throughout."

Fremantle sit in fourth spot following victories over Port Adelaide and Geelong, and a win against West Coast would give them the perfect platform in their quest for a top-four berth.


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