Australian rules footballer
Australian rules footballer
Charlie Ballard (born 23 July 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early life
Charlie participated in the Auskick program at Mitcham, South Australia .[ 1]
Ballard played in their under-18 premiership for the Sturt Football Club in the SANFL as well as for Sacred Heart College .[ 2] Standing 180cm at the time, Ballard averaged 18 disposals on the wing in the 2017 AFL Under 18 Championships , playing for South Australia. He ran 3.05 seconds in the 20 m (66 ft) sprint at the AFL Draft Combine , and was touted as a top-30 selection at the 2017 AFL draft .[ 3]
AFL career
Ballard was selected by Gold Coast with pick 42, their 3rd-round selection.[ 4]
He made his AFL debut in round 7 of the 2018 season , in the nine-point loss against the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium . He kicked one goal on debut.[ 5]
On debut, Ballard was praised by coach Stuart Dew , along with fellow debutant Brayden Crossley .[ 6]
Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of 2023 [ 7]
Notes
^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
References
External links
* denotes rookie listed players
First round Second round Third round Fourth round Fifth round Sixth round