Dockers defend decision to play Ballantyne

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon denies Hayden Ballantyne returned from hamstring surgery too early despite the forward suffering another injury in his first game back.

Ballantyne will spend the next three to four weeks on the sidelines after re-injuring his left hamstring while playing for Peel Thunder on Saturday.

It was his first game back since undergoing surgery on the same hamstring during the pre-season.

Lyon is adamant Fremantle didn't rush him back too early.

"No, he hit all his KPIs," Lyon told Channel 7.

"We were really confident he was available to play. Hayden said he felt a million dollars.

"And hamstrings - there's always that risk on return of about 20 per cent. So unfortunately he sat in that 20 per cent, but we'll get him right."

Ballantyne is out of contract at season's end.

And with a history of hamstring injuries now conspiring against him, the 29-year-old faces a tough challenge to prove he is worth re-signing beyond this year.

But Lyon said Ballantyne was an integral part of the team, and hinted he would like to keep the 141-game forward at the Dockers.

"He's an incredibly hard worker and he's mentoring our young players well, so we look forward to his playing return," Lyon said.