Retired Fremantle forward Jeff Farmer says fellow agitator Hayden Ballantyne should not give up on becoming an influential midfielder and had done the right thing by trying to tone down his niggling tactics.
Ballantyne has been more circumspect with his harassment of opposition players since returning in round four from a two-week suspension.
The Fremantle star was banned after hitting Geelong's Paul Chapman off the ball in the club's season opener, but was also a match winner with two goals and 20 disposals.
He was warned by Dockers coach Ross Lyon not to get caught staging for free kicks following that performance. The more subdued nature of his efforts since has coincided with a drop-off in form.
The 24-year-old has averaged 14 disposals in his past five matches and lacked spark in kicking only four goals during that period.
Like Ballantyne, Farmer often seemed to produce his brilliant best
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