Charlie Ballard

Charlie Ballard
Ballard in 2026
Personal information
Nickname Chook
Born (1999-07-23) 23 July 1999 (age 27)
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 143 (3)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 22, 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).

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 20 m (66 ft) 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 Gold Coast 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

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2018Gold Coast31 1112793411339150.10.27.23.110.33.51.40
2019Gold Coast10 210121163274111230.00.010.03.013.05.31.10
2020Gold Coast10 16001144415868130.00.07.12.89.94.30.80
2021Gold Coast10 210022761288140250.00.010.82.913.76.71.23
2022Gold Coast10 180117749226109220.00.19.82.712.66.11.20
2023Gold Coast10 231023063293142290.00.010.02.712.76.21.30
2024Gold Coast10 231018494278111280.00.08.04.112.14.81.21
2025Gold Coast10 100516310.00.05.01.06.03.01.00
2026Gold Coast10 9004732793380.00.05.23.68.83.70.90
Career 14334127444117157561640.00.08.93.112.05.31.14

Notes

  1. ↑ 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

  1. ↑ AFL Record. Round 9, 2022. pg 78
  2. ↑ Abbracciavento, Daniela (5 August 2017). "Sturt under-18 player Charlie Ballard is one of SA's top AFL draft picks". The Advertiser. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  3. ↑ Twomey, Callum. "Late bloomer looms as draft tall order". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "Charlie Ballard". goldcoastfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  5. ↑ Black, Sarah. "Five talking points: Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  6. ↑ Black, Sarah. "Sparkling debutants can add polish Suns need". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "'I love the place': Suns lock away another piece of backline puzzle". afl.com.au. 17 September 2024.
  8. ↑ "Suns lose crucial defensive pillar to ACL injury". afl.com.au. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  9. ↑ "Charlie Ballard". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 August 2026.