THE BRISBANE Lions' rebuild is likely to receive a boost this year with academy key forward Connor Ballenden emerging as one of the top tall prospects in the draft pool.
The 198cm marking goalkicker has been a part of the club's local academy since he was 12 years old, and the Lions will get first access to him at November's NAB AFL Draft.
His size, marking ability and prowess around goal has already seen recruiters assess him as a possible top-10 selection.
Ballenden spent two weeks training with the senior Lions squad over summer as part of the NAB AFL Academy program, and said the experience had made him even keener to join the club.
"It was really exciting to spend two weeks with them through the AFL academy program. It opened my eyes to how much it takes day in and day out to be an AFL player with preparation, diet, recovery and all of that," Ballenden told AFL.com.au during the NAB AFL Academy's training camp in America.
"I spent a bit of time with Josh Schache and Harris Andrews, and see them as young blokes who I look up to. Hopefully I get to play with them in years to come. It's pretty exciting times at Brisbane, I think, so if I was lucky enough to get picked up by them I already would have spent some time with them.
"I've been told a few times that they're interested and they'd like to have me at the club, but we'll see how it goes later in the year. If they were to pass on me and I was to go somewhere else that would be fine as well."
Ballenden played for Queensland and the Allies at under-18 level last season, and also impressed in the under-17 NAB All Stars clash on Grand Final day.
He starts his draft season keen to continue to improve his running capacity, and is using the national academy's time at the world class IMG Academy facility in Florida as a chance to set up his campaign.
"The first few days were pretty tough and we were all pretty exhausted after the long trip over here, but I'm feeling fresh now and have enjoyed training," he said.
"I'd heard about how big the place is, but it's really special when you get here and see the facilities that we're using and how many students are here full-time. It's awesome."
The prospects have spent several days at the facility, doing speed and running technique training and being involved in the Gatorade Sports Science Institute testing. They have also been interviewed by all 13 clubs represented by recruiters on the tour.
Ballenden isn't the only Brisbane Lions academy prospect to be on the club's radar, with half-back Jack Clayton also eligible to join the club under the father-son/academy bidding system.
Clayton was a member of the Australian under-15 and under-17 cricket sides, and has played for Queensland at state level as a junior, but gave away a promising career with the bat in the middle of last year to concentrate on football.
"I had to weigh up my options and what was going to be best for me, and I felt like footy had a better pathway for me and it was more clear. I thought cricket was a bit more up in the air and you might not start until you're 25 or later," he said.
"I also enjoyed the footy culture more, as cricket can sometimes become very individual and can be a bit selfish. I like being in that team environment with footy."
Connor Ballenden takes part in a training drill at the IMG Academy. Picture: Callum Twomey
Lions recruiting manager Stephen Conole interviews Ballenden in Florida. Picture: Callum Twomey
Lions academy prospect Jack Clayton in action during the 2016 under-18 titles. Picture: AFL Photos
