The Dockers won eight matches in a row mid-year but suffered a late season slump with a shock loss to St Kilda in round 18, an unconvincing come from behind win over Carlton and a loss to Geelong despite a kick on goal after the siren.
Since then the Dockers have put together their most complete performances of the year, beating reigning premiers Hawthorn by 19 points in round 21 before thumping the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last week.
The two wins have coincided with the return of dynamic small forward Michael Walters and although Ballantyne did not play against the Hawks due to a tight hamstring, the Dockers' leading goalkicker this season believes Fremantle's forward-half pressure is back to its ferocious best.
"I think our forward pressure in the past three weeks has been unreal," Ballantyne told AFL.com.au.
"Our tackling, chasing and harassing, just giving the opposition no space, has been really good. I think that's gone a long way to getting the ball turned over and getting some more scoring opportunities."
Coach Ross Lyon also mentioned midweek that the Dockers' "front-half pressure has stepped up", citing Walters, Chris Mayne and Ballantyne as the catalysts.
The trio once had a weekly bet where the player with the fewest tackles from the previous game bought coffee for the other two.
Although Mayne has been the leading tackler among the Dockers' forwards this season, with 83, Ballantyne is having a career-best year in front of the sticks.
He has kicked 45 goals, the highest single season tally of his six-year career at the Dockers, including six goals against Richmond and two bags of five.
Ballantyne has kicked three goals or more in 10 matches this season and the Dockers have won all 10.
"I suppose consistency has been something that I've been aiming for my whole career and this year has been pretty consistent," he said.
The feisty small forward's performances last September were highly scrutinised.
Following a great run of form leading into the finals, including a four-goal game against Port Adelaide in round 23 that yielded three Brownlow votes, he kicked just two goals in the three finals and missed a multitude of other chances.
But Ballantyne said last year's finals campaign had no bearing on that approaching.
"Last year is last year," he said.
"We're focused on the now. We want to be a great side and want to be a great team together so we're giving everything we can for every game."
