How will/should Luke Ball be remembered?

[Ricmel]

I personally know four St.Kilda supporters, and each one of them would have Luke Ball in the team in an instant.

Well I know far more than 4 and I can tell you, the overwhelming majority of StKilda supporters felt Ball was on the fringes at best of our best 22.

Would we have liked him to stay at the club? Yes. But not at the money he wanted, you do not pay fringe players that much. Was he worth more to Collingwood? Yes he was because he was something Collingwood did not have.

I watch 22 - 25 Stkilda games a year, most of them live. There is no doubt that StKilda, with the team they have, could not afford to have someone of Luke's pace and disposal skills playing serious game time. If he was a better player than Hayes then maybe the argument gets reversed. But he is not and no one wiould argue that he is.

That's not to say he has not been very valuable at Collingwood. He has.

I'm also glad to see him have premiership success. There are a few things that connect us so on a personal level I am very happy for him.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

A champ in his own right, redeemed through the graces of good fortune.

 

[mysainters]

I think he would of got a consistent game this year, but I wouldn't want someone at the club who didn't want to be.

Not the first player to go find a fit, rather than fitting in.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Well I know far more than 4 and I can tell you, the overwhelming majority of StKilda supporters felt Ball was on the fringes at best of our best 22..

And they were obviously wrong.

 

[wceblog]

I'll remember him as one of the most talented young midfielders I've seen who had persistent injury issues (groin) that limited his ability and effectiveness in what should've been his best years and now whilst still solid looks a shadow of the player he once was and projected to be.

 

[HFF]

Scum.

Was meant to be a top bloke and heart and soul of St Kilda but things didn't go his way so he sooked off and shafted the club.

Lost the flag with the Saints by a few kicks and instead of coming back and having a dig with your mates, he decided to jump ship and stab a dagger through the heart of the club by winning a flag with the arch enemy.

It's probably one of the greatest dog acts in the history of the game.

I'll always remember him as a traitorous dog who sold out the club he loves.

But hey thats just me

Hahahaha, this is classic stuff.

 

[Saintland]

As a traitor, who sold out his supposed mates and the club that gave him a start only to give all our trade secrets to another club to help them win a flag. But he'll carry on with the "Little Orphan Luke" routine that the media (and others) are happy to ascribe to him. Me thinks his Lenny love is a tad overdone (as always). Good riddance

 

[WinmarToLockett]

I'll remember Luke Ball as a smarter-than-average footballer who realised the club he once captained was a stinking shithole ass of a club with no hope of success whatsoever.

I'll remember him as a footballer who not only left St. Kilda but shafted them in the process, and then beat them in the grand final to cap off his efforts.

He would be a legend in my book except for the fact he did not take the opportunity to rub his premiership in St. Kilda's face.

When he collected his medal he should have mooned the St. Kilda cheersquad, told the entire MCG what a shit captain Riewoldt is, then walked off the stage and punched Ross Lyon in his stupid ugly face.

That's how you leave a club properly.

 

[Syphoncom]

It's amazing how Saints supporters will happily crap all over Ball, yet also say that Reiwoldt should be traded. There was a thread post GF saying he hasn't stepped up and is worth more in trade that on the field.

That guy bleeds for you club in every way possible.

People are too blinded to see how players and the club interact.

The guy didn't "shaft" the club, the club "shafted" him in just as many ways. The guy obviously still felt for the club post GF as you could see in his emotions and therefore clearly still has something for the Saints.

Rip on him all you want, you guys are just as bad.

 

[mysainters]

It's amazing how Saints supporters will happily crap all over Ball, yet also say that Reiwoldt should be traded. There was a thread post GF saying he hasn't stepped up and is worth more in trade that on the field.

That guy bleeds for you club in every way possible.

People are too blinded to see how players and the club interact.

The guy didn't "shaft" the club, the club "shafted" him in just as many ways. The guy obviously still felt for the club post GF as you could see in his emotions and therefore clearly still has something for the Saints.

Rip on him all you want, you guys are just as bad.

Supporters of course meaning maybe one...even two?

 

[shanman]

Luke Ball was a player collingwood absolutely wanted and st kilda weren't sure about. So he left his mates and the team that made him to look after his own interests.

Made a difference to the pies premiership tilt in 2010. We'll never know how his absence effected the saints.

Beating old mates in a replayed GF obviously hurt him - to his credit.

Hope he becomes a part of the magpie community forever, but I think that when its all done he'll be considered as more of a mercenary. And thats no disrespect, I'm so appreciative of him being at our club and hear he's a great bloke.

In short Ball should be remembered who as a bloke who new his worth and backed his belief and turned his life upside down to prove it. Collingwood was a willing vehicle.

 

[CarnThePiesfor09]

How is he restricted talent wise? He was drafted #2 overall? The 2006 injuries ruined is ability to kick, and he kept playing in 2006 because he was captain.

I think he'll be remembered as a Collingwood player, because they will be the most recent memory, but earlier this year on Fox Sports they played the game where Milne kicked 11, and I had forgotten how good he was. Taking marks over his head, hitting targets over distance, and all that other stuff that he is still renowned for.

If the OP hadn't ruined him he'd have been an absolute gun player. Real shame tbh.

Still very handy and more then happy to have him in the side though, love the way he goes about it

 

[shanman]

I'll remember Luke Ball as a smarter-than-average footballer who realised the club he once captained was a stinking shithole ass of a club with no hope of success whatsoever.

I'll remember him as a footballer who not only left St. Kilda but shafted them in the process, and then beat them in the grand final to cap off his efforts.

He would be a legend in my book except for the fact he did not take the opportunity to rub his premiership in St. Kilda's face.

When he collected his medal he should have mooned the St. Kilda cheersquad, told the entire MCG what a shit captain Riewoldt is, then walked off the stage and punched Ross Lyon in his stupid ugly face.

That's how you leave a club properly.

I don't really agree with everything you have said, but thats a fantastic rant. Top shelf, very funny.

 

[Parallel Andy]

I find it amazing that Saints fans either ignore the truth, or are just plain ignorant to it. The Saints treated Ball terribly before he wanted to leave and after he left. But believe what you want. We won the Premiership and you didn't, which is justice enough for me. Go the Pies!

 

[Scott Emberton]

I'll remember Luke Ball as a smarter-than-average footballer who realised the club he once captained was a stinking shithole ass of a club with no hope of success whatsoever.

I'll remember him as a footballer who not only left St. Kilda but shafted them in the process, and then beat them in the grand final to cap off his efforts.

He would be a legend in my book except for the fact he did not take the opportunity to rub his premiership in St. Kilda's face.

When he collected his medal he should have mooned the St. Kilda cheersquad, told the entire MCG what a shit captain Riewoldt is, then walked off the stage and punched Ross Lyon in his stupid ugly face.

That's how you leave a club properly.

i lol-ed!!!

 

[OniAu]

for all the pot shots lyon and riewoldt took pre season at ball , he had every right to say somethin back all year, never did once. champion bloke and its only justice that he got that medal against the team that pretty much treated him like crap when all he wanted was more game time.

cant believe we snagged him

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

Remembered? Is he retiring??

 

[mysainters]

for all the pot shots lyon and riewoldt took pre season at ball , he had every right to say somethin back all year, never did once. champion bloke and its only justice that he got that medal against the team that pretty much treated him like crap when all he wanted was more game time.

cant believe we snagged him

What was his TOG this year compared to last?

 

[OniAu]

What was his TOG this year compared to last?

im not saying minutes and i wouldnt have a clue

the saints didnt count him in their best 22 , so he probably wouldnt have even got half the amount of games as he did this year if he was still at the sainters

 

[Gavin Excell]

I think Ball is a good honest trier. No more no less.

Just out of interest St kilda supporters - after the passage of time, do you think your club f....ked up the Ball situation?

 

[mysainters]

im not saying minutes and i wouldnt have a clue

the saints didnt count him in their best 22 , so he probably wouldnt have even got half the amount of games as he did this year if he was still at the sainters

I didn't read that anywhere, was that in an article or something?

Not sure you hand out three year contracts to guys not capable of being best 22 players.

I've only heard Luke speak about it, and he thought (probably incorrectly) that the younger kids were going to push him out of the side this year.

Surely no player can expect a coach to say "I guarantee you that you are in our best 22" and surely no coach ever would?

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Have to laugh at the Collingwood V Saints pissing contest over Ball.

The moment the siren went and Collingwood won the flag with Ball playing a significant role - it was clear who the winner is.

Saints fans simply need to suck it up - they disenfranshised one of their players - who went on to play a big role in orchestrating their demise.

 

[mysainters]

I think Ball is a good honest trier. No more no less.

Just out of interest St kilda supporters - after the passage of time, do you think your club f....ked up the Ball situation?

It's hard to know Gavin, a bit of urban legend about it. Over time, it's become fact that Saints were offered Wellingham, I'm personally not so sure.

People have provided links to journo's saying as much, but these are the same people who will still report that Luke stayed on the bench the entire last quarter of last years GF.

He was very reportedly very close to signing on for 12 months with a view to reassess his options after the trade didn't eventuate, I guess the club was still hopeful of retaining him. Then he walked...

 

[OniAu]

I didn't read that anywhere, was that in an article or something?

Not sure you hand out three year contracts to guys not capable of being best 22 players.

I've only heard Luke speak about it, and he thought (probably incorrectly) that the younger kids were going to push him out of the side this year.

Surely no player can expect a coach to say "I guarantee you that you are in our best 22" and surely no coach ever would?

did you rate him in your best 22?

ross lyon was a dill about the whole situation. if you are out of favour with your coach , would you stay and slug it out ? fully knowing that you have no chance to prove yourself regardless.

its possibly the best justice ever, former player standing on the podium accepting his medal on GF day while his former club who pretty much forced him out are watching on , wonder if crywoldt shed a tear or two whilst watching

they offered him a 3 year deal, probably after he indicated he wanted out just so they could not look like a bunch of peanuts. still they managed to do that with the way they carried on even up until the pre season cup this year.

 

[Gavin Excell]

It's hard to know Gavin, a bit of urban legend about it. Over time, it's become fact that Saints were offered Wellingham, I'm personally not so sure.

People have provided links to journo's saying as much, but these are the same people who will still report that Luke stayed on the bench the entire last quarter of last years GF.

He was very reportedly very close to signing on for 12 months with a view to reassess his options after the trade didn't eventuate, I guess the club was still hopeful of retaining him. Then he walked...

There is a lot of suggestions hard to know what was fact. probably never will.

Had that happened (bolded) reckon Saints would be the winner.

Wellingham is a much better player than Ball