Matt Ballin
Nanango, Queensland, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Height | 179 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 88 kg (13 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Hooker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Matthew Ballin (born 5 January 1984) is an Australian former professional
Early years
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (April 2023) |
Although he was born in Nanango, Queensland, Australia, Ballin grew up in Kingaroy and attended Kingaroy State High School where his father was the school principal.
Ballin played his junior football with the Kingaroy Red Ants, and although he played in the lower grades with the Brisbane Broncos, he did not play first grade for the club.
Playing career
2005-2014
Ballin signed with Sydney based club Manly-Warringah and made his NRL debut in Round 2 of the 2007 NRL season when the Sea Eagles defeated the Wests Tigers 19–8 at Leichhardt Oval, scoring a try in his first grade debut.
Ballin played in Manly's record breaking 40–0 victory over the Melbourne Storm in the 2008 NRL Grand Final where he was the game's first try scorer.[3]
Ballin played in the 2011 NRL Grand Final giving Ballin his second NRL premiership as a player.
Coming off contract at the end of season 2012, rumours were rampant that Ballin would be a casualty of Manly's post-premiership(s) salary cap pressures, with the
Ballin played every game for Manly in 2012 and finished the season as the league's leading tackler.
2015
In mid-
2016
Returning from injury, Ballin did not make his debut for Wests Tigers until round 11. Soon after he suffered another season-ending ACL knee injury. "I played two NRL games and once in reserve grade – and I felt I contributed in those games – but obviously it wasn't enough footy. I want to be a bigger part of the team this year and play a lot more games. It's been an empty feeling sitting on the sidelines and not being able to help my teammates. When these things happen I suppose you learn to help them in different ways," he said.[9]
2017
Ballin made only one appearance for the Wests Tigers during the 2017 season. On 26 June 2017, Ballin announced his immediate retirement from the NRL due to chronic injuries.[10]
Representative career
In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25-man squad to represent
However he did not make an appearance.In
Personal life
Ballin also works as a personal fitness trainer specialising in fitness and weight loss.[12]
Ballin is an Australian Apprenticeships Ambassador for the Australian Government.[13]
References
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ Herald Sun
- ^ "Grand final: As it happened". Fox Sports. 5 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
- ^ "Manly's Ballin in Canberra crosshairs". The Canberra Times. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- ^ Matt Ballin’s Manly future is uncertain after suspected ACL tear
- ^ Foxsports.com.au (29 July 2015). "Ballin: Manly doesn't want me | NRL". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ "Wests Tigers secure experienced duo | NRL". Zero Tackle. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ "Wests Tigers sign Matt Ballin | NRL". Zero Tackle. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ Jack Brady. "Patience a virtue for recovering Ballin". nrl.com.
- ^ "Matt Ballin retires from NRL: Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles hooker hangs up boots". Fox Sports. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Fox Sports. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- ^ Dean Ritchie (13 April 2007). "Ballin hooked on work". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ "Personal trainee success: Matt Ballin".