Six changes at Fremantle as Ross swings the axe on veterans

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FREMANTLE veterans Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Johnson have both been dropped as Ross Lyon opts to go as young as possible in Sunday’s game against Collingwood.

The Dockers coach confirmed he would make six changes when final teams are released this afternoon.

First-year players Stefan Giro and Scott Jones will make their debuts, with Michael Apeness, Tommy Sheridan, Taylin Duman and Shane Kersten coming into the team.

Ballantyne, Johnson and Brandon Matera join Danyle Pearce and the injured Aaron Sandilands and Stephen Hill in making way.

Lyon said all of the fit omissions would play WAFL for Peel tomorrow at Claremont Oval.

“All the guys will, bar Sandilands and Hill, go and play (against) Claremont,” he said.

“The aim is to get back as soon as they can.”

He said it would be a blow for them, but believed it wasn’t the last the Dockers see of players like Hayden Ballantyne.

“He’s been a fierce warrior for us and he’s got plenty of good footy in him,” he said.

“This is an opportunity to gather himself and really come again hard.

“I’m sure we’ll see them appear for us again this year.”