We also don't want to waste Pick 12 on a Hammelmann, Freeman or Bourke-type either however folks. Ballenden ain't a guaranteed prospects and neither was Hipwood.
The club will work out beforehand a specific point in the draft order where we won't match a bid as a contingency. Although given Ballenden is highly unlikely to be a top ten pick anyway the odds are we will match what is bid for Ballenden though ultimately, just as long it is realistic.
And any bid on him by another club will be realistic, because clubs aren't silly. Collingwood aren't going to use Pick #6 on Ballenden for example or any other club either that early on. A Collingwood fan/some flog on Bigfooty might if they were in charge of their drafting to spite us, but clubs are run by professionals (mostly...) and only hurting themselves more by bidding way earlier than they otherwise rate a player. Ballenden is a late first rounder/early second pick at this stage. He is a fair prospect, but nothing outstanding, much like a lot of his form this year.
And even if Ballenden rises for some reason, I suspect the club will look at packaging Picks 12 & 18 together so we can move up the draft order to get ahead of any bid. It's going to work out fine. Club has done well in securing appropriate talent in last few years and let talent go when appropriate (Declan Watson).