Luke Ball

[matrix]

we all know about his injuries over the last year or so, but he seems to be getting back to where he should be.
i still think he has some probs with his kicking (distance, confidence?) but the guy is an inspiration and was nearly back to his best last night.
the guy is a tackling machine, so he must be chasing fine to grab opponents.
he's played 106 games and has a massive 506 tackles (nearly 5 a game average) with 157 frees awarded to him which goes to show he's a great in and under player and just puts his head down and goes in for the footy.

good to see him getting to the stage where we all know he should be.
one of the hardest workers out there i reckon.
a true champion and i thought he deserved a thread

[perfectionist]

Yes, he does. It was somewhat ironic last night to watch both Chris Judd and Luke Ball suffering from (hopefully) the after-effects of OP. Neither is anywhere near their previous capacity in terms of kicking. Of course, endeavour remains with them, and maybe I am biased, but Luke Ball has always been No 1 in that Dept for mine of the 2001 Draft. As for Luke Hodge, it remains to be seen - but his lack of "endeavour" may prove to be his long term strength. Pacing yourself over a ten year career may have to be more closely planned. Pity.

[snoopygirl]

I must admit, I was surprised to see his stats until I watched the replay. Was a great game from him last night, but I agree on the kicking. Still doesn't seem to have the ability to kick more than 30 metres or so with any accuracy.

[casey scorp]

Ball's still not anywhere near being recovered.

How long is it since you've seen him with a bandage around his head?

He used to get a bandage every week, but he's played 2 games already this season, and still no bandage!

C'mon Bally - put in!

[matrix]

Ball's still not anywhere near being recovered.

How long is it since you've seen him with a bandage around his head?

He used to get a bandage every week, but he's played 2 games already this season, and still no bandage!

C'mon Bally - put in!

cant remember who it was against (dogs maybe) but i still have that image of him getting that high hit and being on all fours with blood running from his forehead with a trainer rushing to get a towel on it.

[Iceman234]

I must admit, I was surprised to see his stats until I watched the replay. Was a great game from him last night, but I agree on the kicking. Still doesn't seem to have the ability to kick more than 30 metres or so with any accuracy.

Thinking exactly that today when watching the replay of last night - and the comment was raised by Ten commentary about Harvey being the "best 20 metre kick" ever. Five seconds later Harves chipped a perfect 18 metre kick to Roo.

Made me think is this the role that Bally should look towards, rather than even trying the 40-50 metre kicks he used to be able to deliver? Maintain his hard nut in and under role but become a specialist in delivery as Harves is.

[saintbrat]

I must admit, I was surprised to see his stats until I watched the replay. Was a great game from him last night, but I agree on the kicking. Still doesn't seem to have the ability to kick more than 30 metres or so with any accuracy.

Thinking exactly that today when watching the replay of last night - and the comment was raised by Ten commentary about Harvey being the "best 20 metre kick" ever. Five seconds later Harves chipped a perfect 18 metre kick to Roo.

Made me think is this the role that Bally should look towards, rather than even trying the 40-50 metre kicks he used to be able to deliver? Maintain his hard nut in and under role but become a specialist in delivery as Harves is.

spooky- thought the same when watching Judd and Bally short pass

[Bernard Shakey]

Ball in and under as usual, racking up stats.

Do not expect him to be at his best until the latter part of the season (the business end).

[nicko016]

He was really good Saturday night. His tackling has always been fantastic but it seems hes taken it to a slightly higher level this year. Still obviously, struggling with his kicking but he seems to be able to adapt to the way his body is and better able to cope and still play effectively with the way his body is.

[jill]

In today's Age 31/03 Aker says he had same op as Judd and it won't be 'til August that Judd will start kicking long & moving freely - guess we have much to look forward to with Luke!!!!!

[saint66au]

In today's Age 31/03 Aker says he had same op as Judd and it won't be 'til August that Judd will start kicking long & moving freely - guess we have much to look forward to with Luke!!!!!

...and by August Carlton wont be wanting too much input from Juddy..or anyone for that matter

[n1ck]

In today's Age 31/03 Aker says he had same op as Judd and it won't be 'til August that Judd will start kicking long & moving freely - guess we have much to look forward to with Luke!!!!!

...and by August Carlton wont be wanting too much input from Juddy..or anyone for that matter

Tanks for the tip, Aker!

[wallbanger]

Seems to me that Bally is one of those players (and I put Aaron Hamill in a similar barcket) who have no problem with the 1%ers - it's the 99%ers that he struggles with!

His tackling and general pressure and hunger to get the ball on Saturday night was excellent - as good as he has been for while. The problem is when he actually gets it, his basic disposal skills let him down, and his kciking was appalling at times.

Watching the replay you could see him visibly angry at himself a number of times for basic skill errors that he made, especially by foot. I know this is a direct result of his condition but it is very frustrating.

[Dan Warna]

28 touches with 75% efficiency, from 70% game time as a ruck rover/rover with a swag of effective tackles.

heaven help the poor forest animals if folks think ball is going to get better...

[spiral2]

Seems to me that Bally is one of those players (and I put Aaron Hamill in a similar barcket) who have no problem with the 1%ers - it's the 99%ers that he struggles with!

His tackling and general pressure and hunger to get the ball on Saturday night was excellent - as good as he has been for while. The problem is when he actually gets it, his basic disposal skills let him down, and his kciking was appalling at times.

Watching the replay you could see him visibly angry at himself a number of times for basic skill errors that he made, especially by foot. I know this is a direct result of his condition but it is very frustrating.

was the best game I'd seen bally play in quite a while

whilst his disposal by foot wasn't great in some instances (most notably kick in fwd 50...GT once said on radio he is 'paranoid' about kicking goals on the run) his disposal by hand (and the cleanness of his hands) in heavy traffic was outstanding.

I thought he really got us back in the game in the second quarter, set the tone for pressure, attack on the ball and won some great contests.
it wasn't so obvious when I watched the replay but at the ground it really stood out to me.

he kicked nicely too on a few occasions, shortish kicks but quite clever. He has great ability on both sides and is able to kick the ball of all parts of the foot to get creative angles on his kicks. this was something I noticed he did a lot in 2004 games.

I think he's on his way back, GO BALLY!

[wallbanger]

I agree - his cleanness with his hands was fantastic, and to be frank that is a quality that Lenny, Dal, Harvs and Monty all have in common, which speaks volumes for the work our midfielders must do in that area at training.

Just thought it was interesting to see Bally down on himself a few times - I think he realises his kicking lets him down on occasion, and I am sure that he is more frustrated than anyone else. He seems to have a great amount of pride in what he can give to the team, and any player with that sort of spirit is worth his weight in gold.

Really looking forward to seeing him later in the year when he can free himself up a bit more with his kicking and become more damaging offensively - he will almost be like a new recruit, after struggling so much through last year.

[spiral2]

Just thought it was interesting to see Bally down on himself a few times - I think he realises his kicking lets him down on occasion, and I am sure that he is more frustrated than anyone else. He seems to have a great amount of pride in what he can give to the team, and any player with that sort of spirit is worth his weight in gold.

maybe he needs his head read a bit too now that (fingers crossed) his body is on the improve. seems like he's carrying too many doubts re kicking in his head. ditto Kosi with shots on goal.
do the saints use a sports pysch?

[cwrcyn]

I am a bit worried about how he's being managed. I would like to see him rested every third game until about round 12, just to make sure he's not back to where he was last year by round 15. Armitage could fill the gap while he's rested, which would be helpful to his development.

Unlike Judd, Ball has a long history with OP, and therefore extra caution is required. I'd hate to see a potentially great career ruined by haste.

[saintbrat]

there was a game late last year after, which he gave an interview, where he ws obviously freer in movement and he explained that he had given himself premission to 'have a go' instead of trying to protect the troublesome area.

I would imagine there will come a point when he can safely do the same again this eyar- to trust his body and his skills.

[GeorgeYoung27]

It's funny how Juddy is allowed all the excuses of recovery and Bally is allowed none. Compare the 2 late last year and the 2 on Saturday night and clearly one has played better than the other. But all Wallsy and many posters can say is that Bally can't kick.

Judd was streaming into goal from 50 too and looked to dish off. Bally's miskick was no different to miskicks from Kosi, Gram and Roo on the night.

If both Ball and Judd had the same operation, why isn't everyone treating them the same way?

[Dan Warna]

meh, let them continue to underestimate bally while he racks up 20 plus possession 5 tackle games and st kilda win.

we are a terrible side with no talent.

reiwoldt is clearly inferior to every other CHF in the league, was badly beaten with 10 marks and 2 goals and 3 goal assists on saturday.

max is old and slow with dodgy hamstrings.

FG is lazy and fat and disinterested

harvey is too old and slow

lenny hayes clearly isn't in the elite category of midfielders

is goddard the most overhyped no.1 draft pick in the history of the game, i think so, what was that? 15 marks and a couple of goals at CHF before his knee injury

milne, worst forward pocket EVER to have a 2 goal average, never been worse than him.

kosi, overrated, too tall.

Dal Santo, why do they keep talking about him and brownlows, every one of his possessions are soft, including the hardball gets and tackles.

montagna, can any opposition supporter mention montagna without slipping in the word rape? honestly? the guy is soft as butter and can't kick over a jam team, would be hard pressed to beat a girl down.

fisher, soft reciever in the backline.

maguire, too much hype, geelong offered him big money to go down to cat park because they clearly didn't value him.

Gram? luckiest player to ever win a tuck medal, clearly didn't deserve it, hack of the highest order.

honestly it amazes me how we win games with a list as bad as we have...

all I can say is HOW bad are the teams we beat eh?

[matrix]

oh my god!
how s*** are we!

[satchmo]

Dimwit will be on the phone to offer you a job if you keep that up, Dan !

[iwantmeseats]

His effort has been outstanding. Id like to see more encouragement out on the ground for him as he is really up against it. I guess he gets it, you cant really tell from the stands.

If he can just keep playing, Im sure there is some gold there later in this season.