Charlie Ballard

Charlie Ballard is a professional Australian [rules football]er playing for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League.

Early life

Charlie participated in the Auskick program at Mitcham, South Australia.
Ballard played in their under-18 premiership for the Sturt Football Club in the SANFL as well as for Sacred Heart College. 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 sprint at the AFL Draft Combine, and was touted as a top-30 selection at the 2017 AFL draft.

AFL career

Ballard was selected by with pick 42, their 3rd-round selection.
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. Ballard's first game was praised by coach Stuart Dew, along with fellow debutant Brayden Crossley.
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.
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.

Statistics

! colspan=3| Career
! 134 !! 3 !! 4 !! 1227 !! 409 !! 1636 !! 723 !! 156 !! 0.0 !! 0.0 !! 9.2 !! 3.1 !! 12.2 !! 5.4 !! 1.2 !! 4