Connor Ballenden Explained

Connor Ballenden
Birth Date:29 March 1999
Draftpick:No. 43, 2017 AFL draft,
Debutdate:31 July 2020
Debutstadium:Carrara Stadium
Height:200 cm
Weight:101 kg
Position:Forward
Statsend:Round 14, 2020
Years1:2018–2021
Games Goals1:3 (1)

Connor Ballenden (born 29 March 1999) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by the with the 43rd draft pick in the 2017 AFL draft.[1] [2]

Early football

Connor was born in New Zealand to father Gavin, who represented South Africa in rugby union and mother Gail, who represented New Zealand in athletics. He moved with his family to Australia when he was four.[3] He played junior football for the Kenmore Australian Football Club.[4] Balleneden joined the ' academy at the age of 12.[5] [6] He also represented the Allies in the AFL Under 18 Championships for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.[7] [8] He completed school at St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace in 2016.[9]

AFL career

Ballenden debuted in the ' 63 point win over in the 9th round of the 2020 AFL season.[10] [11] [12] On debut, Ballenden picked up six disposals, kicked a goal and took three marks.[13] Ballenden was temporarily removed from the senior list in November 2020, with plans to add him back to the rookie list at a later point.[14] Ballenden was delisted at the end of the 2021 AFL season, after playing just 3 career games.[15]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of 2020[16] |- style="background-color: #eaeaea"! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018| || 38 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|-! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019| || 38 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2020|style="text-align:center;"|| 38 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 5 || 4 || 9 || 5 || 1 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 2.5 || 2.0 || 4.5 || 2.5 || 0.5|- style="background:#EAEAEA; font-weight:bold; width:2em"| scope="row" text-align:center class="sortbottom" colspan=3 | Career| 2| 2| 1| 5| 4| 9| 5| 1| 0.5| 0.5| 2.5| 2.0| 4.5| 2.5| 0.5|}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017 AFL Draft results: Every player picked and where they went. 24 November 2017. Elliott. Josh. The Roar. 4 September 2020.
  2. Web site: Lions select Ballenden with Pick No. 43. Grewar. Jessie. Brisbane Lions FC Media. 23 November 2017. 4 September 2020.
  3. Web site: Queenslander looms as top draft prospect. 22 April 2016 .
  4. Web site: Five Queenslanders Taken in National Draft. 24 November 2017. AFL Queensland. Melrose. Sean. 4 September 2020.
  5. Web site: Connor Ballenden. 4 September 2020.
  6. Web site: Knightmare's AFL draft winners and losers. 25 November 2017. Doerre. ESPN Sports. 4 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Connor Ballenden. Aussie Rules Draft Central. 4 September 2020.
  8. Web site: AFL draft tracker 2017: Every draft pick, live tracker, which club got who in AFL national draft?. Fox Sports. 24 November 2017. 4 September 2020.
  9. Web site: GTOB News. 25 January 2017. Facebook.
  10. Web site: Ballenden to debut for Brisbane Lions. 31 July 2020. AFL New Zealand. 4 September 2020.
  11. Web site: Lions, Dons to hand debuts to 200cm, 100kgs beasts. Whiting. Michael. AFL Media. 30 July 2020. 4 September 2020.
  12. Web site: Lions confident big debutant can deliver. Illawarra Mercury. Jackson. Ed. 31 July 2020. 4 September 2020.
  13. Web site: Round 9 • Essendon v Brisbane Lions - Player Stats. 4 September 2020.
  14. Web site: Cut Lion goes to Crows as Brisbane delists five, re-signs veteran. Cleary. Mitch. AFL Media. 25 November 2020. 25 November 2020.
  15. Web site: Lions Confirm Three List Changes. lions.com.au. 19 October 2021. 18 October 2021.
  16. Web site: Connor Ballenden. AFL Tables. 10 November 2020.