Luke Ball in the National Draft

[The Chazz 4,077]

There are a lot of comments talking about how Luke Ball is overrated.

He'd still be one of the best players in the team if he came, but he doesn't want to, so be it.

We're better to invest in a player who is a risk, but could be a gun later than a player who is past his best.

Sorry Gooner, but how can you say Ball is past his best? Had he played a full game in the GF, he might just have won the Norm Smith. Gee, a lot of their players that are at their best (eg. Saint Nick) performed well below Ball did.

(Not directed at you Gooner) I'm still waiting for a) A list to confirm that Ball has nominated for the ND, and b ) Ball to come out and say that he doesn't want to play for us. I know he could go straight to the PSD if he was certain about playing for us, but give the guy some credit. The only thing he has said is that he wanted to play for Collingwood, but if he has infact nominated for the ND, he has pretty much declared that he will play for anyone BUT St Kilda.

[The Chazz 4,077]

thats a marginal & line -Ball decision at best ........

its not a notion thats thick in my thoughts...I dont think he does

If he didn't want to take the risk of being picked up by Melbourne, wouldn't he stay a saint?

[Sir Why You Little 37,307]

thats a marginal & line -Ball decision at best ........

its not a notion thats thick in my thoughts...I dont think he does

If the MFC end up paying his wage, Luke Ball will play his ass off for the Red & Blue BB.

Your sentiment has Merit but it's not practical.

Like i said earlier we are now one of 4-5 clubs who can take him, & he knows it.

Depends who is still available at 11 or 18. if ball is the Best, he will become a demon, regardless of his long term dreams.

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

If he didn't want to take the risk of being picked up by Melbourne, wouldn't he stay a saint?

Please don't get me started on Bailey again.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,297]

I would love to have seen Luke Ball in the Red n Blue next year. It may still happen... But now I hope we don`t simply due to the fact that so many posters have argued.. He doesn`t want to be here!! Nothing wrong with that mind you.

If he has nominated for the ND (which was confirmed on AFL.com.au), and we now pick him up with #18, I reckon there will be more than a few unhappy players that would that have to spend the next few years with him in our team when he seemingly doesn`t want to be there. The team/club simply can`t afford this to happen!

[The Chazz 4,077]

I would love to have seen Luke Ball in the Red n Blue next year. It may still happen... But now I hope we don`t simply due to the fact that so many posters have argued.. He doesn`t want to be here!! Nothing wrong with that mind you.

If he has nominated for the ND (which was confirmed on AFL.com.au), and we now pick him up with #18, I reckon there will be more than a few unhappy players that would that have to spend the next few years with him in our team when he seemingly doesn`t want to be there. The team/club simply can`t afford this to happen!

Thanks for the info re. confirmation on the AFL website.

I know it seems like he doesn't want to play for Melbourne, but if he was hell bent on not playing for us, he would have stayed a Saint. He knows that we are in probably the best position of all clubs to pick him up, he would have thought about this prior to nominating for the draft.

Reality is, if we don't pick him up, he will most probably go to one of the other 13 clubs that he didn't nominate as his team of preference. Do you think these Clubs will be saying "he doesn't want to play for us, so we'll just let him go"? Some yes, others No way known.

[Ron Burgundy 8,587]

Would laugh for a very long time if he gets drafted by Port or Freo. He'd salary sacrifice to try to get to the Dees then, by which time the club would be laughing too.

[The Chazz 4,077]

One outside the square...

Any chance we have been in Ball's ear telling him we are going to pick him up with pick 11 or 18 knowing no-one else was likely to pick him up before then (almost assuring him of a Red and Blue jumper), freeing up PSD#1 for Thorp?

A lot happens behind the scenes of these footy clubs, and as Cam Schwab kept writing on twitter during the Flash issue, "don't believe everything you read".

I really want him to come to us, but thought I'd attack it from another angle!

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,297]

Thanks for the info re. confirmation on the AFL website.

I know it seems like he doesn't want to play for Melbourne, but if he was hell bent on not playing for us, he would have stayed a Saint. He knows that we are in probably the best position of all clubs to pick him up, he would have thought about this prior to nominating for the draft.

Reality is, if we don't pick him up, he will most probably go to one of the other 13 clubs that he didn't nominate as his team of preference. Do you think these Clubs will be saying "he doesn't want to play for us, so we'll just let him go"? Some yes, others No way known.

These clubs didnt have #1 PSD and that`s the big difference IMO Billy. Luke now knows, that we know, he doesn`t want to play for us. Can`t understand why we`d want him after he`s already turned his back on us.

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

Firstly, how did Bailey give Ball the option of not coming to the club exactly ? Ball is the one deciding his future, he wants to go to the Pies by rolling the dice in the ND. Remember he also had the option of coming to the Dees, if he did want to, he wouldn't be putting pen to paper for the ND.

Secondly, I see no correlation between Davey re-signing and Ball ? Can you elaborate.

Firstly he said that he won't stand in his way if Ball said that he didn't want to go to the club.

Secondly I was hoping that the media had got it wrong about Ball going to to the ND like they did with Davey when they wrote that he was gonna walk out but that doesn't seem to be the case. I don't understand why he wouldn't talk to more clubs before he goes into the ND considering Collingwood don't get a pick until pick 30.

Connors has made us look like the most unattractive club in the developed world twice now. I'm sick and tired of the circus he conducts only to be let down time and time again cause everybody thinks we are a joke. He likes taking pot shots at other clubs about time clubs started doing it to him. The Ball saga has been a farce from start to finish.

[Sir Why You Little 37,307]

I would love to have seen Luke Ball in the Red n Blue next year. It may still happen... But now I hope we don`t simply due to the fact that so many posters have argued.. He doesn`t want to be here!! Nothing wrong with that mind you.

If he has nominated for the ND (which was confirmed on AFL.com.au), and we now pick him up with #18, I reckon there will be more than a few unhappy players that would that have to spend the next few years with him in our team when he seemingly doesn`t want to be there. The team/club simply can`t afford this to happen!

It is interesting to wonder "How many of our 40 odd players on our list Really Really want to play for the MFC 100% all the time they are on that list"

I doubt it would be every player, but we are paying them a good wage so they are where they are. That's life.

I think that would go for every other team list as well.

Ball would well know that we hold #11 and #18 and even more interesting that Port have #8-9.

in a draft we are told does not go to deep.

By nominating for the ND he would know that the MFC is well in the mix, he was just able to name his asking price.

[... 11]

he was just able to name his asking price.

How does that work? I don't understand what you mean?

[Hannabal 4]

Connors has made us look like the most unattractive club in the developed world twice now. I'm sick and tired of the circus he conducts only to be let down time and time again cause everybody thinks we are a joke.

On the contrary, he thinks that we'll be a powerhouse for many many years, just not in the next 3-4, which is Ball's window. He manages Watts and Blease amongst others. And it's Ball's decision, not his managers.

Run along.

[... 11]

One outside the square...

Any chance we have been in Ball's ear telling him we are going to pick him up with pick 11 or 18 knowing no-one else was likely to pick him up before then (almost assuring him of a Red and Blue jumper), freeing up PSD#1 for Thorp?

A lot happens behind the scenes of these footy clubs, and as Cam Schwab kept writing on twitter during the Flash issue, "don't believe everything you read".

I really want him to come to us, but thought I'd attack it from another angle!

It's not a bad thought, but doesn't it go a bit against our youth policy? I know he's not that old, but it just doesn't seem to fit for me.

I too have done some thinking, and wonder if we picked him at 18, we could then trade with Collingwood for a better pick than 18 next year? Probably rubbish. I'm just trying to straighten my head out over these events.

Are we really that bad that Ball would risk going interstate?

Or as you say, is there much going on behind the scenes that we don't know about?

Or, is the whole draft system (all of them) a complete joke when it comes to trading of established players, hence making the 'free agency' argument moot?

As stated by me, and by many other posters here, if Luke Ball doesn't want to come to MFC, I absolutely don't want him. Geeze I'm p'd off about this, probably b/c it just seems to keep happening (a la Judd).

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,297]

On the contrary, he thinks that we'll be a powerhouse for many many years, just not in the next 3-4, which is Ball's window. He manages Watts and Blease amongst others. And it's Ball's decision, not his managers.

Run along.

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

With your wayward accuracy Stinga your effort has the opposite meaning and is a compliment.

You are wrong about this one. Bailey stuffed up but I don't expect you to agree cause I know that you think that the sun shines out of Bailey's ass.

[Redleg 41,946]

I would come out and declare we will take Ball with pick 11. That could entice Port to use pick 8 or 9 to get him as a replacement for the Burgoynes. Alternatively if Essendon want him they would have to use pick 10 to get him. That way our chances of getting a better player improve possibly down to 18. It could even help us to land Butcher if that is who we are after.

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

On the contrary, he thinks that we'll be a powerhouse for many many years, just not in the next 3-4, which is Ball's window. He manages Watts and Blease amongst others. And it's Ball's decision, not his managers.

Run along.

So Watts and Blease will be at new clubs in 8 years time. Thanks for the future update.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Please don't get me started on Bailey again.

Agreed. Dont get him started.

...

Too late....

You are wrong about this one. Bailey stuffed up but I don't expect you to agree cause I know that you think that the sun shines out of Bailey's ass.

And you are a clever one too!

In your little world, other posters are either player lovers or haters. What wonderful insight.

[The Chazz 4,077]

An article in the Herald Sun;

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dees...f-1225796240877

[Redleg 41,946]

An article in the Herald Sun;

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dees...f-1225796240877

At least I got something right. Post 144.

[... 11]

An article in the Herald Sun;

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dees...f-1225796240877

If that article is true, and I state 'if'... I hope Luke Ball gets thrush. Arrogant [censored]!

[rpfc 28,906]

He's a pro. Whoever picks him will get a committed player.

I don't like his attitude. I understand it though.

It is up to BP and TH now, I don't care if Luke Ball doesn't want to come here, I care about what is best for my club - if the boys think he's the best value at 11 or 18 then take him, give him a shirt, and tell him 'that's life.'

[Chelly 839]

If that article is true, and I state 'if'... I hope Luke Ball gets thrush. Arrogant [censored]!

Worse than thrush ... he might get drafted by Port Adelaide. That is what he, his manager and his pack of advisers deserve.

[Sir Why You Little 37,307]

An article in the Herald Sun;

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dees...f-1225796240877

Like i said, We still Hold the cards. Like it or lump it...Thankyou jordan Mcmahon!!!!