Ballantyne keen on SWFL

Recently retired Fremantle Dockers goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne is considering pulling on the boots for a SWFL club in coming seasons.

Ballantyne, who played his final game for the Dockers in round 22 against Essendon at Optus Stadium, has begun working full-time as a livestock representative for Westcoast Wool and Livestock in the South West.

Ballantyne told the South Western Times both he and his management team would explore all options heading into next season.

“To be honest, I haven’t thought about footy a whole lot just yet,” he said.

“Obviously there is still a bit of trade talk going around and that kind of stuff, so I’ll let all of that run its course.

“Whatever will happen next year will happen. I know a fair bit about the South West league. My little brother played for South Bunbury and was in one of their losing grand finals.

“So I know the league quite well. Anthony Morabito (former teammate) also used to play for HBL as well.

“I’ll play footy for as long as I physically can. I love footy and I’d hate to be sitting on the sidelines in five or six years time and think ‘Geez, I regret not playing on for as long as I could’.

“I’d definitely have a look at it, but for the time being, I’ll wait and see what my manager can do and see what the cattle game holds from now on I think.”

A recent fixture at the saleyards in Muchea, Boyanup and Mt Barker, Ballantyne is excited to be working in agriculture, a passion he has held for many years.

“I’ve been following my step-dad Greg Jones around for five or six years,” he said. “He is a pretty well known buyer in the cattle game.

“I’ve always enjoyed getting around to all of the farms, meeting the farmers along with the producers and the processors. It’s a fantastic industry to be in.”