Fremantle's eighth consecutive win served as a reminder of Hayden Ballantyne's potential for brilliance as a small forward, given his five-goal haul. The aftermath has served as a reminder of how his petulance can get him into trouble, and hinder the Dockers in the process.
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Ballantyne has been offered a one-game ban by the match review panel for a behind-play blow to the midriff of GWS opponent Tomas Bugg that was delivered in full view of umpire Ben Ryan, who laid a report.
The blow could ordinarily be reduced to a reprimand with a guilty plea, however Ballantyne's 87.5 carry-over points for two breaches in round five thwarted that.
Furthermore, if Fremantle challenges the verdict at the tribunal it would risk losing Ballantyne not only for Saturday's match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium but also for the round-19 home match against Carlton.
Dockers coach Ross Lyon did not castigate Ballantyne for being reported. In his post-match press conference on Sunday, Lyon, who said he had not seen the incident, reiterated his high regard for Ballantyne and that "every time he is available I will pick Hayden".
The 26-year-old has missed only one match this season, when he was suspended in round six following two incidents involving Sydney's Rhyce Shaw and has kicked a career-high 38 goals. He was also reported for a bump on Adelaide's Matthew Jaensch in round 12, but was cleared at the tribunal.
The incident with Bugg, unless it is taken to the tribunal and overturned, is the ninth time in Ballantyne's 101-match career that he has been sanctioned. That those nine breaches have resulted in suspension for only eight matches is a reflection they have overwhelming been minor offencers.
The only other player assured - barring a successful tribunal challenge - of suspension was Gold Coast's Tom Murphy. The key defender was given a two-match ban for misconduct for dropping his knees into Western Bulldog Jake Stringer, although the penalty was reduced to one match because of his good record.
If Murphy pleads guilty the penalty would be reduced further to one match and 26.56 carry-over points.
Port Adelaide veteran Kane Cornes can escape a one-match ban for striking Richmond's Daniel Jackson by pleading guilty. It would, however, leave him with 93.75 carry-over points that would put him on the brink of suspension for any subsequent breach, even the most minor, during the finals.
Three players can accept $900 fines: Gold Coast's Greg Broughton and the Bulldogs' Nathan Hrovat for wrestling each other, and RIchmond captain Trent Cotchin for negligent umpire contact.
A match-day striking report against St Kilda's Sam Dunell was thrown out. His teammate Tom Hickey, Melbourne's Tom McDonald, West Coast's Jacob Brennan and Carlton's Lachie Henderson were similarly scrutinised by the panel but not charged.
MATCH REVIEW PANEL - ROUND 17
Greg Broughton (GC) first offence wrestling, against Nathan Hrovat (WB). $1200 fine; $900 with guilty plea.
Nathan Hrovat (WB) first offence wrestling, against Greg Broughton (GC). $1200 fine; $900 with guilty plea.
Tom Murphy (GC) misconduct for kneeing Jake Stringer (WB). Intentional, low impact, body contact. 225 points down due to good record to 168.75 (1 match); 126.56 with guilty plea (1 match).
Trent Cotchin (Rich) first offence negligent umpire contact. $1200 fine; $900 with guilty plea.
Kane Cornes (PA) striking Daniel Jackson (Rich). Intentional, low impact, body contact. 125 points; 93.75 with guilty plea.
Hayden Ballantyne (Fre) striking Tomas Bugg (GWS). Intentional, low impact, body contact. 125 points (1 match); with guilty plea (1 match). 125 points up due to carry-over to 212.5 (2 matches); 159.38 with guilty plea (1 match).
Investigated but not charged:
Tom McDonald (Melb) striking Brad Hartman (Geel)
Sam Dunell (StK) striking Sam Wright (NM)
Tom Hickey (StK) rough contact to Lachie Hansen (NM)
Jacob Brennan (WC) rough contact to Lewis Taylor (BL)
Lachie Henderson (Carl) striking Ben McGlynn (Syd)
LIFE AND CRIMES OF BALLANTYNE
Rd 17, 2014: Striking Tomas Bugg (GWS) - Offered 1 match
Rd 01, 2014: Striking Rhyce Shaw (Syd) - Reprimand
Rd 01, 2014: Misconduct for kneeing Rhyce Shaw (Syd) - Reprimand (missed one match, in combination with other charge in same match)
Rd 01, 2013: Rough conduct to Scott Selwood (WC) - 1 match
Rd 11, 2012: Striking Chris Newman (Rich) - 1 match
Rd 01, 2012: Striking Paul Chapman (Geel) - 2 matches
Rd 08, 2010: Misconduct for pulling hair of Heritier Lumumba (Coll) - $900 fine
Rd 06, 2010: First offence wrestling, against Adam Selwood (WC) - $900 fine
Rd 03, 2010: Pinching Gary Ablett (Geel) - $900 fine
Rd 18, 2009: Forceful front-on contact to Liam Picken (WB) - 2 matches
