2013 Rookie Draft Pick #47 - Jacob Ballard

[Seppo]

Freo welcome Jacob Ballard from the Northern Blues.

DOB: 26/02/1994
Height: 186cm
Weight: 82kg
Position: Rebounding defender who competes well in the one-on-one contests. Has a big engine and is super competitive.

 

[Chris25]

Jacob Ballard was one my favourite players last year, even though I was on my own in terms of rating him. I kept talking him up, but nobody joined me on his bandwagon. Here's a little of what I said about him...

Jacob Ballard (186cm midfielder - Northern Knights)

I know I keep calling players underrated, but Ballard is. He had a super consistent season for the Knights in the TAC Cup and was named in the bests in all but two of his 13 games this year. And he continued on with that form in the U18 Championships, and while he wasn't a standout he won plenty of ball and used it very well off of half back. One thing he showed for Vic Metro was that he doesn't need a lot of game time to win the ball. And even with his Draft Combine invite, it still seems as though people aren't really talking about him all that much. He is 186cm and has a mature body, he'll be pushing for selection in his debut season. He can run all day as he proved with a top 10 beep test result, and he uses the ball very well by foot. With his size, skills and athletic ability, he looks to be a perfect fit for the modern game, and I think he could easily push into the second round. What will dictate where he gets picked is whether teams think he will become that big bodied midfielder or if a career at half back is more likely. Either way, I think he could be a good player.

Ballard I have been impressed with. Works hard and tackles really well, has good hands too. He's pretty much been in the bests in every game he has played in the TAC Cup this year. Really good size for a midfielder too, he looks to be developing along the same lines as Tom Sheridan did last season.

Ballard is a big, strong body who can play both in the midfield and across half back. With good hands and a nice kick, he could fill any number of holes. Maybe he isn't elite in one particular area, but someone who is solid in multiple areas shouldn't be sniffed at. I'm thinking he'll be more of a third round pick than a rookie chance.

I've seen Ballard live a couple of times, and a number of other times on video. And I'm a big fan. As you said, he has been super consistent this year and rarely has an off day - he has been named in the bests in 11 of his 13 games this season.

He does have a strong body, and should be fairly ready made in terms of seeing early game time. I think he is comparable to Reece Conca. Might not be the flashiest player going around, but he has surprisingly good foot skills and a real knack for the contest. Uses his size to his advantage, and just always attacks the ball. I think he could easily earn himself a spot on a half back flank next season, before eventually moving into the midfield.

Where will he get picked? I don't really know. I wouldn't be opposed to spending a pick around the #30 mark.

 

[Docker82]

Can't find any vfl footage of Ballard. Can only find U18 stuff and I'd like to have a look see more recent stuff as after all he was overlooked last year but we took him this year. Does any exist and if so where can I find it? Thanks in advance.

 

[estibador]

Some video: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2011-10-02/draft-prospect-jacob-ballard

 

[Docker82]

Hmmm looks like a 2013 video doesn't exist. He looks alright from those earlier videos though.

 

[E Shed]

Sounds a ripper. Good stuff Freo, nice mix of players.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Far out he doesn't mind taking an intercept mark. He can read the play very well.

 

[jefffff34]

He is a beauty, dual sided midfielder, who inexplicably last season, did not end up on any clubs list.

I liken him to Scott Thompson from Adelaide.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

He is a beauty, dual sided midfielder, who inexplicably last season, did not end up on any clubs list.

I liken him to Scott Thompson from Adelaide.

Have you watched him play the last few seasons live? He looks to read the ball really well from the footage provided.

 

[jefffff34]

Have you watched him play the last few seasons live? He looks to read the ball really well from the footage provided.

From memory...Northern vs Eastern & someone else 2012, Vic Metro vs WA 2012 and Northern Blues vs Collingwood VFL this year.

His handballing IMO is elite.

 

[Seppo]

Watching those clips of him reminded me of Roberton a bit. it's his quick rebounding, lanky style of movement with a funny loopy kick but still accurate.

Wonder how he will fill out.

 

[Dockernut]

Seems to enjoy hurting people.

 

[Aussiblood]

FFC has a highlights vid up. As good as it gets...
http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/video/2013-11-27/rookie-draft-pick-47-jacob-ballard

 

[freodog]

That's so funny 0:50 of the video clip "Oh *censored* that has gotta hurt"

 

[Nickos66]

Nice!

Do we think he's likely to play for us next year? Or just fill out the Peel team nicely?

 

[estibador]

Nice highlights there, he looks like a real hard nut. Our new Solly!

 

[theGav56]

Good recruitment this year. Well done Freo.

 

[greatgatsby]

Video's like a tackling clinic! Don't mind the distributing handpasses either. Looks ready to make his mark at Peel.

 

[Pusswah]

From those tackles I reckon we could call him Ballsy.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Another competitor for the perennial Mayne v Ballantyne v Crowley tackler trophy.

 

[Righteo]

Building a team of players who can really hurt opposition players, I approve

Some poor kicks in the vid but he looks very neat generally to me, like a faster and more aggressive Greg Broughton.

 

[Paracleet]

He has a Barlow like set of hands. (I expect its his Barlow like kicking that has seen him undrafted till now).
We're got a live one here, bookmark it.

 

[Centurions]

He has a Barlow like set of hands. (I expect its his Barlow like kicking that has seen him undrafted till now).
We're got a live one here, bookmark it.

I expect that if Menegola doesn't live up to his athleticism, the replacement for Crowley down the track could well be Ballard. Good in close and vice like tackles. Not sure about kicking given so few if any highlights of it....

 

[yakka man]

Got some size on him.

 

[The Anchorite]

Surely we must call him "Crash"?