We aren't punishing Haze, insists Harvey - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

We aren't punishing Haze, insists Harvey

By Justin Chadwick 05/08/2009 09:11:18 PM Comments (0)

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has scoffed at suggestions he is punishing midfielder Paul Hasleby for his refusal to sign a new one-year deal with the AFL club.

Hasleby, out of contract at season's end, has threatened to walk out on the Dockers unless he is offered a two-year extension.

However, the club is standing firm on its one-year offer, wary the 28-year-old has had issues with his groin and knee in the past few years.

Hasleby played just 65 per cent of game time in last week's loss to Western Bulldogs, the equal third least by any Docker in that match.

The 184-game veteran has also started some matches on the bench in recent weeks.

But Harvey said the coaching staff had merely decided to reduce Hasleby's workload in order to protect him from injury after he complained of calf soreness before the club's round 17 win over West Coast.

"That's one of those lovely stories that's done by external people," Harvey replied when asked whether Hasleby's drop in game time had anything to do with the contract stand-off.

"If you remember two weeks ago he had a calf injury that was nearly going to pull him out of the side, so we've got to make sure that doesn't re-occur."

Hasleby, who missed the entire 2008 campaign after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the pre-season, has been one of Fremantle's few shining lights this year.

He has averaged 25 possessions a game as a key member of the Dockers' injury-ravaged midfield, helping bring along the likes of first-year on-ballers Nic Suban and Stephen Hill.

Meanwhile, midfielders Byron Schammer (calf) and Brett Peake (ankle) completed training on Wednesday and are almost certain to earn recalls for Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide.

But key position player Luke McPharlin is set to miss another week as he continues to battle a niggling calf complaint.

Harvey said he was surprised and disappointed to lose forward Hayden Ballantyne for two weeks to suspension for his forceful front-on contact to Bulldogs youngster Liam Picken.

"Why we challenged the tribunal is we thought it was below the shoulder," he said.

"The hip and shoulder is an interesting slogan now in itself isn't it - the hip and shoulder."

And Harvey has opened the door for any Melbourne-based clubs to play a home game against the Dockers at Subiaco Oval next year.

North Melbourne have already asked the AFL for permission to host a home game against West Coast in Perth and Harvey said the Dockers would jump at the chance if a similar opportunity presented.

"I think we should, absolutely. We are in the market place for that," he said.

"I haven't spoken to our CEO yet but I would say that would be highly on our agenda.

"Any other clubs from the eastern states who would like to play over here, bring it on."

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