Warrnambool footballer Ben Howard's off-field plans include studying law and filmmaking

The emerging Warrnambool ruckman, who made his Hampden league senior debut in round one, is on a gap year but has been accepted into a law course at Australian Catholic University.

"I want to be film director but having a law degree is probably a good back up," the teenager told The Standard.

"I write a little bit of stuff, it's just a good hobby to have.

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"It's a good hobby for me to take my mind off footy and focus on some other things."

Action and drama are Howard's preferred genres.

"I'm not funny, so not comedy," he smiled.

Football is keeping Howard busy in the meantime.

The St Patrick's College graduate - he boarded in Ballarat during his VCE - is spearheading the Blues' ruck division with the experienced Dan Weymouth.

"He's been my (under 18.5) coach for a few years now and he's helped me develop a lot, especially in the ruck," he said.

Howard, who is known affectionately as 'Twigga' for his lean frame, stands at 194cm. He has a basketball background, which he uses to his advantage against taller opponents.

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"That (my height) was the last time I checked," Howard said.

"My mum (Rachel) usually keeps a count on the doorframe. She loves doing that.

"Who knows what she says, it could be three centimetres taller than I actually am.

"I think I have a bit of growth left because I am still young and was a bit of a late bloomer."

Howard, who was in Greater Western Victoria Rebels' program at under 16 level and as an under 18 rookie, knows he must work hard to maintain his spot.

"You have to get a lot of running in, have good fitness to stay in the team," he said.

"I just try my best to keep up with all the other ruckmen and compete as hard as I can. I like being an on-ground ruckman, below my knees is probably my strong suit for a person of my size.

"I try to use that to my advantage when I can. In the air too, it's the same. I just use my height and my jump, because I used to play basketball."

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