Sturt under-18 player Charlie Ballard is one of SA’s top AFL draft picks

CHARLIE Ballard grew 15cm in less than two years, transforming himself into one of SA’s top AFL draft prospects.

Sturt under-18 and reserves player and SA draft prospect Charlie Ballard.

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CHARLIE Ballard grew 15cm in less than two years, transforming himself into one of SA’s top AFL draft prospects.

Ballard, 18, was involved with Sturt’s under-16 side in 2015 but overlooked for its under-18 team the next year because he was thought to be a touch too short for a key-position role.

Then came the growth spurt, along with some solid performances for Sacred Heart College, which led to him being re-selected by Sturt this past season.

To cap his rise to success, he featured in a premiership double last month with the Double Blues’ under-18 and reserves sides as a 195cm wingman.

His performance is now being scrutinised at the AFL national draft combine at Etihad Stadium.

“In the past couple of years, I didn’t think I would get this far,” Ballard, of Torrens Park, says.

“But I grew a fair bit and have developed.

“It was just the luck of the draw with the reserves having a week off going into the grand final, so I got to play with the under-18s the week before.

“I was also a bit surprised to get invited to the combine, but I am pretty happy.”

Ballard also lined up for Team (Brent) Harvey in the under-18 all-stars match on the MCG ahead of his beloved Richmond Tigers winning the AFL grand final against the Adelaide Crows by 48 points last Saturday.

He credits the coaches at Sturt for helping fast-track his development. “We’ve got good development coaches,” he says.

“(Dual Sturt premiership coach) Marty Mattner is also a really good mentor and he’s just said to enjoy it and thrive in the moment.”

Sturt high performance manager and under-18 coach Chris Trapp expects Ballard to be selected in the second round of next month’s national draft.

“He is now a tall wingman who can go forward and back,” Trapp said.

“He has good kicking skills and composure as well as a good intercept marking ability.

“He’s been super this year for us and he has improved all year.”

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