Charlie Ballard
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| Charlie Ballard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Ballard in March 2026 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Nickname | Chook | ||
| Born | 23 July 1999 | ||
| Original team | Sturt (SANFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 42, 2017 national draft | ||
| Debut | 5 May 2018, Gold Coast vs. Western Bulldogs, at Mars Stadium | ||
| Height | 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) | ||
| Weight | 95 kg (209 lb) | ||
| Position | Tall defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Gold Coast | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2018- | Gold Coast | 138 (3) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 7, 2026. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Charlie Ballard (born 23 July 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).
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] Ballard's first game was praised by coach Stuart Dew, along with fellow debutant Brayden Crossley.[6]
Ballard played his 100th game in 2023. Following a successful 2024 season with the Suns, he signed a contract extension until the end of 2029.[7]
In round one of the 2025 season, Ballard suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, subsequently ruling him for the rest of the season.[8]
