The Tigers led by eight points at three-quarter time and appeared set for a stunning boilover and the best win of their AFLW history, which would have condemned Adelaide to a 0-2 start.
But two costly final-quarter kickouts from Richmond defender Rebecca Miller resulted in Ballard kicking her first and second AFLW goals to snatch a 5.6 (36) to 4.3 (27) victory from the jaws of defeat.
The victory proved a welcome return to form for the Crows after they were well beaten by Melbourne in their opening-round grand final rematch.
Adelaide midfield dynamos Ebony Marinoff (22 disposals, 487 metres gained, 11 tackles) and Anne Hatchard (26 disposals, six clearances) were brilliant, while Crows skipper Chelsea Randall stepped up massively in the final term.
Richmond star Monique Conti racked up the ball at will, finishing with 26 disposals, five clearances, seven tackles and 423 metres gained and was well supported by Tessa Lavey (18 disposals, 404 metres gained).
Courtney Wakefield booted two goals and provided a presence all day amid skipper Katie Brennan's injury-enforced absence.
Wakefield spurned two early shots at goal and Adelaide quickly pounced through star goalkicker Ashleigh Woodland and youngster Zoe Prowse.
It seemingly got the Tigers fired up, with Emelia Yassir responding before Wakefield kicked a goal either side of half-time to give Richmond the ascendancy early in the third term.
Adelaide's Rachelle Martin and Tigers defender Maddie Shevlin then traded goals, with Richmond holding an eight-point buffer at the final change.
Conti had 22 touches to three-quarter time alone and demanded a response from the Crows' onballers.
Coach Matthew Clarke got that with the Crows dominating territory in the final term and piling pressure on Richmond's defence.
The attacking siege paid off when Ballard read Miller's kickout to perfection and glided across to intercept.
She had the composure to kick her first AFLW goal and give the Crows a one-point lead with less than eight minutes to go.
Two minutes later Randall made a desperate spoil from another Miller kickout and in the subsequent contest, Ballard copped a high tackle.
The 20-year-old coolly steered through her second to put the Tigers out of reach.
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