Mixing his time between the ruck, defence and forward lines, Connor Ballenden spent his debut season learning the skills of a key position player. Ever-present in the undefeated NEAFL premiership winners' season, expect Ballenden to seek opportunity at AFL level this year. Ballenden is unlikely to represent fantasy value at any stage this season. Young key position prospects rarely provide short term dividends, and there's nothing to suggest this Lion will break status quo. Avoid.
Cosmic Balla continues
Mixing his time between the ruck, defence and forward lines, Connor Ballenden spent his debut season learning the skills of a key position player. Ever-present in the undefeated NEAFL premiership winners' season, expect Ballenden to seek opportunity at AFL level this year. Ballenden is unlikely to represent fantasy value at any stage this season. Young key position prospects rarely provide short term dividends, and there's nothing to suggest this Lion will break status quo. Avoid.
Slow dance for Ballenden
Spending his first listed year entirely in the NEAFL playing a forward/ruck role, Connor Ballenden booted 19.17 from 17 games, adding nine hit outs and 64 fantasy points per game. Ballenden is behind Oscar McInerney for that spot in Brisbane's best 22 and, even if he does leapfrog into the seniors for 2019, these are not the numbers of a fantasy-relevant player.
Ballenden is en pointe
Though he has been tried in defence at junior levels, it is in attack that Connor Ballenden has shown the most potential with contested marking and a reliable long shot for goal. His field kicking is also notably accurate, and he also played some ruck in NEAFL action last year, averaging a goal from nine disposals and six marks. Ballenden looks best suited for a forward/ruck role leading out of the square, something that the Lions desperately need to replace Josh Walker. That role does not suggest accumulation, even if he does get thrown into ruck early doors, so he'll be best left on the sidelines by fantasy coaches even if picked early.
