Connor Ballenden

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

Connor Ballenden
Ballenden in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-03-29) 29 March 1999
Draft No. 43, 2017 AFL draft, Brisbane Lions
Debut 31 July 2020, Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon, at Carrara Stadium
Height 200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
Weight 101 kg (223 lb)
Position(s) Forward
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018–2021 Brisbane Lions 3 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 14, 2020.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

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 Brisbane Lions' 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 Brisbane Lions' 63 point win over Essendon 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]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2018 Brisbane Lions380——————————————
2019 Brisbane Lions380——————————————
2020[lower-alpha 1] Brisbane Lions 38211549510.50.52.52.04.52.50.5
Career 2 2 1 5 4 9 5 1 0.5 0.5 2.5 2.0 4.5 2.5 0.5
  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. Elliott, Josh (24 November 2017). "2017 AFL Draft results: Every player picked and where they went". The Roar. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  2. Grewar, Jessie (23 November 2017). "Lions select Ballenden with Pick No. 43". Brisbane Lions FC Media. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  3. "Queenslander looms as top draft prospect".
  4. Melrose, Sean (24 November 2017). "Five Queenslanders Taken in National Draft". AFL Queensland. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  5. "Connor Ballenden". Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  6. Doerre (25 November 2017). "Knightmare's AFL draft winners and losers". ESPN Sports. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  7. "Connor Ballenden". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  8. "AFL draft tracker 2017: Every draft pick, live tracker, which club got who in AFL national draft?". Fox Sports. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  9. "GTOB News". Facebook. 25 January 2017.
  10. "Ballenden to debut for Brisbane Lions". AFL New Zealand. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  11. Whiting, Michael (30 July 2020). "Lions, Dons to hand debuts to 200cm, 100kgs beasts". AFL Media. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  12. Jackson, Ed (31 July 2020). "Lions confident big debutant can deliver". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  13. "Round 9 • Essendon v Brisbane Lions - Player Stats". Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  14. Cleary, Mitch (25 November 2020). "Cut Lion goes to Crows as Brisbane delists five, re-signs veteran". AFL Media. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  15. [lions.com.au/news/1026082/lions-confirm-three-list-changes "Lions Confirm Three List Changes"]. lions.com.au. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  16. "Connor Ballenden". AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
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