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Dockers turn to youth again
![<?php echo($club_names[$seg3]); ?> Ball](http://www.footygoss.com/themes/site_themes/footy/images/team_specific/fremantle_ball_nobg.jpg)
Posted Jun 5, 2009 - 8:12 AM
By Mr Dandalooa
Fremantle Football Club will take on Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
The Dockers will be looking for a much-needed win, following an embarrassing loss to Richmond at Subiaco Oval last week.
The last time these two teams met at AAMI Stadium was round 17, 2008, where Fremantle 20.9 (129) defeated Port Adelaide 15.11 (101).
An aura of negativity surrounds both clubs currently in season 2009, with the Dockers experiencing a long list of injuries and poor form, while Port Adelaide remained frustrated that they are unable to perform consistently with a raft of senior players also suffering from injury or poor form.
Youngsters Hayden Ballantyne and Clancee Pearce will make their AFL debuts against Port Adelaide as the Dockers reaffirms its youth policy.
Ballantyne is the 2008 Sandover Medallist, and Pearce, an All-Australian selection in last year’s under-18 national championships, bring the total number of youngsters to make their debut for the Dockers to seven.
Ballantyne has been a solid performer for Peel in the WAFL, last week catching the eyes of senior coaching staff and Mark Harvey who said while it is hard to ignore the up-and-coming 21-year-old, he didn’t expect too much from him in the short-term because of his inexperience.
Ballantyne who has had surgery on his wrist said he was relieved of his selection and happy with his recovery.
Pearce is the fourth Fremantle rookie to be elevated this season following the likes of Matthew de Boer, Greg Broughton and Luke Pratt.
Harvey said Pearce, who has averaged about 20 possessions for Swan Districts in the WAFL, would replace Ryan Crowley, who has been placed on the long-term injury list, which has added further to the Dockers’ playing woes.
Harvey said while the teenager had the goods for AFL footy, it would take some time for Pearce to adjust to the tempo of AFL football.
Pearce, a Swan Districts’ 2008 grand final participant, had not expected to make his AFL debut this year.
