Safe to say there are not too many AFL players studying a double-degree in Law and Psychology.

Freo rookie Jacob Ballard is balancing university life, living away from home for the first time and his second year in the AFL system.

Studying is a nice change for the 21-year-old, who was recruited from Victoria at pick 47 in 2013.

“It gives me something to focus on outside of football because it can be pretty hard thinking about footy non-stop,” he said.

“I’m doing a unit per semester and I’m really enjoying it so far.”

Ballard has bunked up with fellow Freo youngsters Alex Pearce and Brady Grey.

“I moved in with Alex and Brady, who were in the same draft as me, at the start of the pre-season,” he said

“Living with the other two boys, we do see a lot of each other, but it’s good fun.”

The trio has to answer to landlord and Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow.

“Mick has been kind enough to rent it to us,” he said.

“He’s pretty chilled out and pops his head in once a month.”

Ballard said he feels he now fits in well with the rigors of the AFL system.

“It’s my second season now and I’ve just got to be patient and keep working hard,” he said.

“I’m really still enjoying my footy, that’s the main thing.”