| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth | 16 July 1987 |
| Recruited from | Baldivis |
| Height and weight | 174cm / 75 kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Debut | 2005, Peel Thunder vs. , at |
| Team(s) | Peel Thunder (2005-)
Fremantle (2009-) |
| ¹ Statistics to end of 2008 season | |
| Career highlights | |
|
|
Hayden Ballantyne (born 16 July, 1987) is an Australian rules footballer, who was selected by Fremantle in the 2008 AFL Draft. He was recruited from Peel in the WAFL. In 2008 he was awarded the Sandover Medal as the fairest and best player in the league.[1]
Only 174cm tall, Ballantyne started his career in the 2005 as a midfielder, but moved forward very successfully in 2008, kicking 75 goals and coming second in the Bernie Naylor Medal behind Subiaco's Brad Smith. He then won the most prestigious individual award in Western Australian football, the Sandover Medal, by 2 votes from Callum Chambers.[1]
Ballantyne was selected in the 2008 AFL National Draft by the Fremantle Football Club with its second round selection (#21 overall).[2] Ballantyne risked being excluded from the draft when he missed the Western Australian state screening session due to being overseas on a holiday. He was later tested individually and allowed to remain nominated for the draft.[3] Ballantyne was a mature-age draftee at the age of 21, with most draftees no older than 18.