Clarke, 19, and Ballantyne, 21, were both named in the squad that flew out of Perth today for Melbourne.
A former Victorian Junior Basketball League player who has played football for only three years, Clarke passed up an opportunity to pursue a basketball scholarship in the US college system.
Senior coach Mark Harvey, who is determined to continue blooding first year players, said Fremantle supporters would find a lot to like about the 203cm teenager, who was the club’s third round selection, No. 37 overall, in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
“It’s great story because he’s a former top junior basketballer who was late coming to football and now he’s going to make his AFL debut on the MCG,” he said.
“Zac’s adapted quickly to the game and has that athletic agility that you look for in a footballer. He’s got a great temperament and has one of those attitudes that you know he is going to bring some excitement to the team.
“While he is going to need a lot of fine tuning, the experience of playing his first game on the MCG will be sensational for him."
Clarke, who expected to be playing for East Perth against East Fremantle in the WAFL on Saturday, said his selection had come as a surprise.
“We were sitting in the team meeting and I saw my name on the board,” he said.
“I was pretty nervous at first but now I’m just excited about travelling with the boys and playing on the MCG. I just want to get out there be competitive and enjoy the experience.”
Recruited from the Oakleigh Chargers after playing for Vic Metro last year in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, Clarke first started playing basketball as a five-year-old.
“But last year I decided to pursue football, so I nominated for the AFL draft to see how far I could go,” Clarke said.
“With basketball there is a very minute chance that you can make it at the highest level and you have to go to America and go to a college for four years.
“I really enjoy playing footy and the opportunity was there and available.”
Ballantyne was due to make his debut for Fremantle in round 11 against Port Adelaide but was a late withdrawal due to back soreness.
The 2008 Sandover Medallist, who kicked 75 goals for Peel in the WAFL last year, missed the early part of the season after undergoing surgery on his wrist.
Despite playing only one game in the WAFL, Harvey was confident that Ballantyne was ready to make his debut.
“He’s a hungry player and he’s always at you about playing the game. Hayden’s
smart and one of those old school footballers who have football instinct,” Harvey said.
“He can expose the opposition with his defensive pressure and has that goal kicking nous that you look for in a small forward.”
After the disappointment of having to miss the Port Adelaide game, Ballantyne said he was looking forward to the Collingwood clash.
“I’m just relieved to get a crack at this level,” he said.
“The challenge of playing at the MCG against Collingwood in front of a big crowd is pretty exciting.”
Harvey said he was looking forward to how both players would evolve after their debut games.
“What we’ve found is that a lot of the guys that we’ve put up for their first game have held their spot in the side,” he said.
“That’s a terrific sign for the future, so hopefully Zac and Hayden can both do that.”
