Matt Priddis and Hayden Ballantyne shine in Upper Great Southern Football League’s Talk To A Mate Round

Two former AFL rivals joined forces to help raise awareness around mental health in a special fixture between Williams and Brookton-Pingelly, played in front of a big crowd on Saturday afternoon. In a special appearance, ex-Fremantle Dockers forward Hayden Ballantyne pulled on the Panthers’ jumper to rekindle his rivalry with former West Coast Eagles midfielder and Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, who was playing for Williams. In a hard-fought top-of-the-table clash, the Panthers came from behind at half-time to prevail by 15 points, 12.6 (78) to 9.9 (63). Priddis was one of the Cats’ best players in a losing affair, while Ballantyne kicked a goal and spent time opposed to Priddis in the midfield. “We still have got our competitive edge so I definitely didn’t want to lose today and I’m sure he (Priddis) didn’t want to either, so it was good fun,” Ballantyne said after the game. “He (Priddis) has got to buy the beers tonight.” Despite the loss Priddis wound back the clock on the field, laying a number of his textbook hard tackles and contributing to a couple of crucial clearances in the midfield. “I absolutely had a ball,” he said. “It just takes footy back to the basics, playing footy with your mates. “They played it hard and tough it was a really good game of footy out there but Ballas got the win today.” Ballantyne wowed the convoy of Panthers supporters who made the trip, kicking a handy stoppage goal in the first quarter. He then moved into the midfield in the second and third quarter and provided clean delivery to the Panthers forwards. The Upper Great Southern Football League match was part of Talk To A Mate round and the win elevated the Panthers to second place on the ladder. Panthers star Jordan Hughes was awarded the match ball, judged best on ground for his stellar individual performance across half-back and in the middle. Lloyd Padwick continued his terrific form with six goals up front for the Panthers and teammate Ethan Smart took a couple of high-flying marks. Cats’ Tom Carmichael also took a number of impressive marks and was well supported by Lachlan Southern and Simon Panizza. While Ballantyne’s skills with the ball were unmatched, the tough nature of country footy was on show as he copped a couple of big tackles including one where he was helped from the ground after a hit to the jaw in the final term. “I just ran into someone’s shoulder, I’ve done it a few times but it’s just a bit sore so I’ll live,” Ballantyne said. “I’ve got plates in there so I think one of those has moved a little, but it is nothing major.” The special cause was to help young men to talk about mental health with their mates. An auction in the club rooms following the match and raised $4000 for the local Williams Men’s Shed. “The biggest thing is just looking out for mates because there are times where they are going through tough periods in their life and forums like this are good to raise awareness of having conversations with your mates over a beer are really important,” Priddis said. “Just breaking that stigma of tough macho man, but they are the blokes you have to worry about the most — the ones who don’t say anything,” Ballantyne said.