Luke Ball article

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...21/default.aspx

Ok, so I'm going to get in on ll the fantasy trading threads.

Ball would be very well loved at the Saints, and I doubt they'd be thinking of trading him RIGHT now. But come seasons' end, if they win the flag they could well snaffle up, then they may indeed have salary cap issues.

Ball would probably be on good money, and would be welcome relief in this sense as he isn't knocking of Dal Santo, Hayes or Montagna any time soon for a spot in the guts.

He's 25, a good age for our demographic, and while he has had well-publicised OP problems, he would be EXACTLY what we needed.

What do people think? Are we done with players with OP issues, or are we this desperate for a midfielder?

[dee-luded 2,959]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...21/default.aspx

Ok, so I'm going to get in on ll the fantasy trading threads.

Ball would be very well loved at the Saints, and I doubt they'd be thinking of trading him RIGHT now. But come seasons' end, if they win the flag they could well snaffle up, then they may indeed have salary cap issues.

Ball would probably be on good money, and would be welcome relief in this sense as he isn't knocking of Dal Santo, Hayes or Montagna any time soon for a spot in the guts.

He's 25, a good age for our demographic, and while he has had well-publicised OP problems, he would be EXACTLY what we needed.

What do people think? Are we done with players with OP issues, or are we this desperate for a midfielder?

Trade him with what, oh Ball for Bell?

[Wolfmother 182]

He is on a 600K package... no thanks

Edited July 28, 2009 by Wolfmother

[Lord Travis 10,711]

Yeah he is on big money. In the top 16 highest paid players in the league I remember reading?

Also, he is a slowish in and under midfielder, and we have plenty of those. What we need is more outside pace and polish, so he doesnt fit the bill. Still I wouldnt mind him in Red n Blue if the price was right. He always gives his all and is hard as rock, exactly the kind of player to show the youngsters how it should be done.

I feel sorry for Ball, as he is a very good player who's been cut down by injury. Before the OP, he was actually a quick mid with a good kick, but it appears the OP has robbed him of his speed, and also the penetration in his kicking. I would've had him on par with Judd before the OP actually. Yes, I think he WAS that good.

[Sir Why You Little 37,011]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...21/default.aspx

Ok, so I'm going to get in on ll the fantasy trading threads.

Ball would be very well loved at the Saints, and I doubt they'd be thinking of trading him RIGHT now. But come seasons' end, if they win the flag they could well snaffle up, then they may indeed have salary cap issues.

Ball would probably be on good money, and would be welcome relief in this sense as he isn't knocking of Dal Santo, Hayes or Montagna any time soon for a spot in the guts.

He's 25, a good age for our demographic, and while he has had well-publicised OP problems, he would be EXACTLY what we needed.

What do people think? Are we done with players with OP issues, or are we this desperate for a midfielder?

And why can he not get a Game-Somethings wrong with him. Too Slow, that's what's Wrong. Yes Let's pay Top $$ for a problem we already have. Slow midfield.

Thanks But no Thanks. Back to sleep & no more nightmares...

[Doggo 32]

No thanks.

[JACKATTACK 17]

I would be happy to trade away our pick two for Ball and their first pick. Even if it was a priority (pick 2,3,4).

I rate him.

[Left Field 313]

Agree that his foot speed and engine are concerns but this is consistent with someone who has had persistent OP - they never get fully fit.

How about trading Brock for Ball as a straight swap? He would certainly get a game in our guts.

[rpfc 28,306]

I would be happy to trade away our pick two for Ball and their first pick. Even if it was a priority (pick 2,3,4).

I rate him.

So do I.

And if he were 22 and didn't have his history of OP I would give Pick 2 for him.

But that isn't the case and we have McLean, Moloney, and Jones as, admittedly less talented, inside midfielders. But their contracts are managable and they have a greater longevity in the game than Ball.

If he comes through the PSD than all well and good but we should be trading FOR high draft picks, not trading them away.

[H_T 3,043]

No thankyou.

[Doggo 32]

How about trading Brock for Ball as a straight swap? He would certainly get a game in our guts.

LOL... if the Saint's were dumb enough, i'm sure our FD would take that in a heartbeat!!!!!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...21/default.aspx

He's 25, a good age for our demographic, and while he has had well-publicised OP problems, he would be EXACTLY what we needed.

What do people think? Are we done with players with OP issues, or are we this desperate for a midfielder?

Just what we need another midfielder crippled with OP. Fantastic. Imagine the fireside chats Bell, Beamer, McLean, Sylvia, Buckley and Miller could have! What war stories.

Honestly you would think we would have learnt from the experience we have had with players with OP that we would have the good common sense to steer well clear of Ball.

Apparently not.

When we are seriously challenging in 2014 there is a good chance Ball's body would have said enough.

There's a good lesson here to be learnt.

He could have been a top player. Unfortunately his body wont allow him to get to the next level.

Trade pick 2......geez there are some dumb deals given. I might look at him in the PSD but otherwise no thanks.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Just what we need another midfielder crippled with OP. Fantastic. Imagine the fireside chats Bell, Beamer, McLean, Sylvia, Buckley and Miller could have! What war stories.

Honestly you would think we would have learnt from the experience we have had with players with OP that we would have the good common sense to steer well clear of Ball.

Apparently not.

When we are seriously challenging in 2014 there is a good chance Ball's body would have said enough.

There's a good lesson here to be learnt.

He could have been a top player. Unfortunately his body wont allow him to get to the next level.

Trade pick 2......geez there are some dumb deals given. I might look at him in the PSD but otherwise no thanks.

Ok RR. Take a deep breath.

Right. Now that you've calmed down a bit, is it impossible to consider that he could get past his OP issues? One Col Sylvia seems to have managed the most severe case of it at our club. Add to that Beamer, who's not missed a match I think this year. Both are playing arguably the best footy of their lives.

The idea is not COMPLETELY absurd. I don't know that I'd give up pick 2,3,4 or whatever it is for him. But then, to be perfectly honest, I'm not overcome with enthusiasm about the names being bandied around for this pick. Morabito, according to posters like H, has the right stuff, but from what little I've seen I have huge concerns. Trengrove looks ok and seems to be the crowd favourite, and Lucas seems another name. But I don't think there's anything like the top 3... or even top 7 from last year to be honest.

On gut reaction, I happen to really like what Ball brings to a game of footy. I've seen him absolutely MONSTER games before, and think he could again. What's wrong with liking a player who has an injury cloud in his past?

As others have said, given his history with his body, it would have to be at the right price. And I think given the fact he's not in their side, is frustrating his coach, the fact they have an abundance of midfield strength, and the fact he's 25 (just the right age for us to consider, but too old to be considered "in development" for them)... there are plenty of reasons WHY he could find himself at another club.

But, as usual, amongst the typical posters there were a few in there that actually answered the question simply. I had considered perhaps we have an abundance of mids that are nuggety insiders... But that said, of our 3 main ones (Brock, Moloney and Jones) 2 of them are showing signs of serious concern.

Oh and as far as money goes... that's unbelievable. In the top 16 players LT? Jeez. That CAN'T stay the same surely. Again, I don't know details of contract situations but in a trade is the receiving club expected to equal his former salary? It seems to me that we're never going to get ANYWHERE as a club if we remain in a position where one club can afford a certain class of player, and we can't.

Regardless of where he goes (or stays), it should be interesting to see what happens there.

[Steamin Demon 392]

We already have a Ball type AKA Simon Buckley the only difference is he is younger, Faster amd paid alot less.

NO MORE SLOW IN AND UNDER TYPES THANKS !!!

Luke Ball is and always will be a very over rated media player.

[Hannabal 4]

Morabito, according to posters like H, has the right stuff, but from what little I've seen I have huge concerns.

I just want to clarify. I'm by no means an expert on Morabito. I've seen him play once in the flesh and really liked what I saw, but a recruiter will see him 20-30 times.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I just want to clarify. I'm by no means an expert on Morabito. I've seen him play once in the flesh and really liked what I saw, but a recruiter will see him 20-30 times.

Didn't feel it was the forum to go into detail, but I will say that I only mentioned you because you came out of the mire of "he can't kick" posters and were actually positive about him. You also seem to be one of the only ones, hence my mentioning you.

And hey, your impression could turn out to be true. He may be good.

Besides, you've seen him in the flesh exactly one more time than I have, which automatically puts you ahead of 99.9% of posters here!