Ball on Malthouse - Fox Sports News

[SydneySainter]

I know this should probably be on the opposition forum, but anyway...

They just ran an interview with Luke Ball at the airport. He's about to play his 150th match and it's hard to argue that his form has been getting better in the last month.

When asked about Malthouse, he made a point of saying that Mick has been great, given him a lot of support and that it has really filled him with a lot of confidence, knowing he has the support of his coach.

Read in between the lines anybody?

[degruch]

Hmmm...maybe he's finding out that effort = reward.

[plugger66]

Hmmm...maybe he's finding out that effort = reward.

Pretty sure he put in plenty of effort last year.

[markp]

He has a new daddy now, after so long... I'm thrilled for him.

[degruch]

Hmmm...maybe he's finding out that effort = reward.

Pretty sure he put in plenty of effort last year.

Pretty sure he didn't, otherwise he'd still be here.

[saintlee]

What would you expect him to say?

[Buckets]

Good luck to him but he's not a Saints players anymore. And just to be devils advocate how much more time percentage wise has he been spending on the ground in comparison to last year under Lyon?

[plugger66]

Hmmm...maybe he's finding out that effort = reward.

Pretty sure he put in plenty of effort last year.

Pretty sure he didn't, otherwise he'd still be here.

So McGough, Ferg, Goose, X and so on didnt put in effort. 100% sure he put in effort.

[degruch]

Hmmm...maybe he's finding out that effort = reward.

Pretty sure he put in plenty of effort last year.

Pretty sure he didn't, otherwise he'd still be here.

So McGough, Ferg, Goose, X and so on didnt put in effort. 100% sure he put in effort.

Maybe, maybe not. None of those cases are the same, none of those players had the same talents as Luke Ball, so the result of the effort is relative.

[saintbrat]

he said this several weeks ago- maybe BTG
this article
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/l ... utostart=1

is more rounded and actually begins to put some sense on the debate.....
but the media have wanted to blame the saints all along and are looking for any comment that gives that impression.

[Moods]

You know what? I'm genuinely happy for Luke Ball, and STILL believe that RL did the right thing in how he treated him last year. I've watched Ball this year, and imo he has been seriously overated by the media and pies fans. His possessions don't hurt teams that much - apart from the 3 goals he kicked against the blues the rest of his game that day was average.

I'm not a bitter ex fan of the bloke, just reckon he contributes to the pies, nothing more nothing less. His kicking skills are still average at best, and there are better feeders of the ball in the comp than Ball. I would take his old mate Jobe Watson (who's also an ordinary kick) before I would take Ball.

Good luck Luke on your 150th.

[clarky449]

Your right this should be in opposition forum,

[meher baba]

he said this several weeks ago- maybe BTG
this article
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/l ... utostart=1

is more rounded and actually begins to put some sense on the debate.....
but the media have wanted to blame the saints all along and are looking for any comment that gives that impression.

I have never understood what "blame the club" means in this context.

What I've seen on this forum over the past few months is a hell of a lot of people wanting to "blame Ball".

It's been pretty confusing: I've sometimes been confused as to whether people on here have wanted to blame him for going to Collingwood for "more money" (or, perhaps it's less money, but not as much less as he would have received at the Saints), or if they wanted to blame him for being not a good enough player in their view, or for not being as good a player as Chris Judd, or for going in the draft and thereby ensuring that we didn't get anything for him, or what exactly.

The truth is that Ball (so far) seems to be playing a part at the Pies that suits him better than what he was doing for us in 2009 and also seems to suit them pretty well. It is also pretty obvious that his confidence is sky high compared to how he was feeling at the Saints last year: he is trying more things on the footy field, taking some risks that are coming off, and altogether looking a happier chappy.

Was it a mistake for us to let him go? Yes and no. Yes, because I reckon he's a quality player and a quality person. No, because I don't think his talents really suit the game plan we are playing, and I don't believe that we needed to change our game plan to suit Luke.

[St. Luke]

It's hard to see the Pies sitting on the top of the AFL ladder right now, and I'm sure Ball is feeling pretty chuffed at his choice.

[fingers]

Really..what else would he say.

"Mick has really left me to find my own way. He hasn't given me any real support. Not like Ross or GT would. But I've made my bed and I have to lie in it."

[BigMart]

Luke Ball was probably my favourite player....

tough, courageous and hard as a cats head....he has been as good as any of our mids this season....poor decision not to back him as a player in 2009...esp in the GF

[plugger66]

Luke Ball was probably my favourite player....

tough, courageous and hard as a cats head....he has been as good as any of our mids this season....poor decision not to back him as a player in 2009...esp in the GF

Spilt milk.

[Moods]

Luke Ball was probably my favourite player....

tough, courageous and hard as a cats head....he has been as good as any of our mids this season....poor decision not to back him as a player in 2009...esp in the GF

Bloody hell, I want a bit more from my mids than JUST those qualities. Steve Baker is all those things as well, but actually plays a role in our team - Ball was no longer playing a role. He plays a role at the pies, good luck to him.

[Saint Mik]

It's hard to see the Pies sitting on the top of the AFL ladder right now, and I'm sure Ball is feeling pretty chuffed at his choice.

Try and get $100 out of a Pies supporter that we will be on top of them come round 12, Easy money

The toothless are quick to tell us how good they are but check the form after a few harder games coming up

We have beaten them, Freo and the Dogs playing s*** footy without our star forward and captian, yes the Scum got us on a bad night but hey its a perfect week to make some extra coin from the toothless folk

They think they have the flag in May once again

Oh and F*** Luke Ball I am sick of this bloke, put him in the OP forum $2000+ a hand ball or 30 meter kick to nobody, they can have him.

[claystreet]

Your right this should be in opposition forum,

X100 hes a traitor not a saint and you lot give him an airing on the Saints forum, get it into the opposition forum.

Your right abput one thing though, Ball on Malthouse or is it Malhouse on Ball with Bucks going seconds?

[Superboot]

I'm not sure that anyone questioned Luke's attitude when he was with us.

His problem was that he couldn't run or kick.

[matrix]

why put this in here?????????????????
scared the post wont get read if in opp forum????????

he.does.not.play.for.us.!

[rodgerfox]

I'm not sure that anyone questioned Luke's attitude when he was with us.

His problem was that he couldn't run or kick.

I don't think that was his problem either.

[maverick]

I'm not sure that anyone questioned Luke's attitude when he was with us.

His problem was that he couldn't run or kick.

I don't think that was his problem either.

Whose was it then, Roos?

[rodgerfox]

I'm not sure that anyone questioned Luke's attitude when he was with us.

His problem was that he couldn't run or kick.

I don't think that was his problem either.

Whose was it then, Roos?

I think the coach has been sucked in to thinking we're better than we are and can afford to unload very good players.

We can't.

We've been relying on players, not game plans or structures, for 3 years now.

Unload good players, and you're going to find yourself in trouble.


To arrogantly outcast a player of that caliber and get nothing in return is just ridiculous.