Jacob Ballard Biography

Delisted Fremantle midfielder Jacob Ballard is pushing for a second AFL opportunity after being squeezed off the Dockers' rookie list after two seasons.

Fresh from winning WAFL club Peel Thunder's best and fairest award, Ballard was reluctantly let go by Fremantle because the club couldn't see him forcing his way past its long list of midfielder's in 2016.

He had a positive exit meeting and is understood to have piqued the interest of a number of clubs late in the season once it became clear he could be available.

"Jacob's had a solid two years and he's just now learnt the consistency of AFL football and he wants another opportunity," Ballard's manager Tim Hazell said.

"The conversation Jacob and Fremantle had was more about opportunities.

"Looking at Fremantle's midfield for the next two to three years, it's so gun loaded with good midfielders that they felt they needed to free up some spots on their list.

"It was a really positive exit meeting and Fremantle hope he gets an opportunity and kicks on his AFL career."

The Dockers announce that Max Duffy, Jacob Ballard and Craig Moller have been delisted.

Jacob Ballard makes his AFL debut for Fremantle at Adelaide Oval with 6 disposals (a kick and 5 handballs) and a mark in a 69-point loss to Port Adelaide.

After missing out on being drafted in 2012, Jacob Ballard hopes to become another Fremantle rookie-list success story.

"Everyone tells you not to get your hopes up and you try not to but deep down it's your dream to get drafted as an 18-year-old," Ballard said.

"I went to the draft combine and had a few clubs talking to me but then it didn't work out the way I wanted so that was pretty disappointing.

"I was pretty shattered for a week or so but then you can't dwell on it. You've just got to knuckle down and give it another crack next year and I was lucky enough to get picked up this year so I'm really happy."