Ball to meet the D's tomorrow

[linz]

It'd be ironic if he left us to play for the D's only to be dropped from their 2014 Grand Final side as he was deemed to be not in their top 22.

[St Fidelius]

Id like Ball to stay but Im getting past it to be honest.

If he goes to Dees IMHO it tells me 3 things:

1. Luke wants extra cash (no probs with that - make hay etc etc)
2. Luke knows he'll be a big fish in a little, developing pond and he likes that idea and finals perhaps arent the be-all.......
3. Luke doesnt think he can work his way into St Kilda's best 22 at a greater than 50% game time level

Id love Ball to stay but Im not for the club bending over to "beg" him to.....OR for Ross Lyon to have to offer some greater game time % just to keep Luke happy. The message on that front has been consistent and clear - EARN YOUR SPOT.

I do not believe for 1 moment Ross Lyon is swayed by "favorites" - he, unlike Grant, is far to clinical in his pursuit of victory for that. Lyon will play WHOEVER gives him the best chance to plug a hole, do a role, get him the result he thinks will help us win games IMO. He'll go against the trend and back players IF he thinks they have something....(see Raph Clarke) and he'll drop stars if he feels he isnt getting a certain level of effort/outcome.

Luke Ball is no different.

I must say though that should Ball stay, fight his way into the 22 AND add to his game where he simply HAS to be given more game time......then my original opinion of him as a smart leader prepared to do what it takes for the benefit of the team will only be enhanced.

It may be just wishful thinking on my part but I also believe that IF Ball takes this path then this decision will truly be a defining moment of his footy career - especially if goes on to become a St Kilda Premiership player.

Agreed in everything you have typed

[saintspremiers]

The longer this drags on, the more I think LB is hanging out for money, or guaranteed senior game time at the Saints, and neither can be guaranteed to him.

IMO Bally will be a Saint next year, and for more money than what was offered originally.

Just my gut feel......I doubt the club would want another club to benefit from him.

[saintrod]

FWIW Denham on SEN just said that Luke Ball isn't interested in playing for the Ds

[SainterK]

Well, cancel the appointment then....

[Sainterman]

FWIW Denham on SEN just said that Luke Ball isn't interested in playing for the Ds

I said the same thing last week, he does not want to play for Melbourne. Having a meeting with them does not mean that he is going to play for them, he would be remiss not to do this.

I think he spent some time with the Saints players over in the US and some words were spoken. I know they were all disappointed when he requested the trade and have tried to encourage him to stay and remain a part of what they are trying to achieve. I would expect him to make a final decision very soon, but my money is on him staying. Did Goose go to make more room to fit him in I wonder?

[ace]

It'd be ironic if he left us to play for the D's only to be dropped from their 2014 Grand Final side as he was deemed to be not in their top 22.

Wont happen, they will delist him at the end of 2013.
Too slow, too old, too much money.

[Sainter_Dad]

I would love to see Ball stay and I would love for his contract to be written as a low base salary and then strict performance bonuses. Then I would be really happy if he earned the $600K he was looking for.

[St Chris]

Luke loves the club and his teamamtes, and wants to stay.

Luke doesn't get on with RL, and doesn't want to be coached by him.

These 2 sentences are what are whirring around his very wise head at the moment, and is what would be making the decision so tough.

The latter sentence won out during trade week because he was hopeful of finding a home with a club that was a genuine top 4 chance. Now that he probably wont get to a club thats going to play finals, he needs to go through the process again, and take to time to figure out whether the issues between him and RL are able to be put behind them in a professional manner.

For mine, i think he will stay. There are no doubts about the playing group wanting him to stay, and money wont come into it. It's purely about the relationship between himself and Ross, and how that relationship plays out in the future.

[Dan Warna]

am a luke ball fan.

would love to see him stay.

lets hope the saints and ball can make it work.

[borderbarry]

I really hope he stays. Otherwise we have lost since the GF, from one of the strongest drafts in history, Picks 2, 5. and 21, and in return received Pick 60 in one of the weaker drafts.

[samoht]

This relationship thing is overdone, I'm sure LB is professional enough to understand that the coach isn't there to be buddies with everyone and that RL has to be cruel to be kind to get his message across sometimes.

LB has to perform consistently and at the required level - if he doesn't he'll fall out of favour even at a bottom club and with whoever happens to be the coach - that's the reality.

If LB performed consistently and well - the coach/player relationship will naturally be strong and he'd even be getting some appreciative slaps on the back.

If he doesn't there's other players that can't be ignored - like Armitage, what about his relationship with the coach - doesn't he deserve a call up, doesn't he have feelings too?
At least LB was making $650k/annum whilst sulking and underperforming - what was Armitage making ?

I hope LB succeeds at St kilda and returns to his best form, that's the only thing that will bring back the " good relationship" and respect he craves.

[Sainter_Dad]

Luke doesn't get on with RL, and doesn't want to be coached by him.

According to my source - it is not RL

[Mr Magic]

Luke loves the club and his teamamtes, and wants to stay.

Luke doesn't get on with RL, and doesn't want to be coached by him.

These 2 sentences are what are whirring around his very wise head at the moment, and is what would be making the decision so tough.

The latter sentence won out during trade week because he was hopeful of finding a home with a club that was a genuine top 4 chance. Now that he probably wont get to a club thats going to play finals, he needs to go through the process again, and take to time to figure out whether the issues between him and RL are able to be put behind them in a professional manner.

For mine, i think he will stay. There are no doubts about the playing group wanting him to stay, and money wont come into it. It's purely about the relationship between himself and Ross, and how that relationship plays out in the future.

I have no reason to dispute your 'inside knowledge' on the situation.
What is the issue between Ball and RL (or whomever)?

I ask becasue you state that money won't be the issue and yet Ball had the new contract a good 4-6 weeks before the 'game time' issue arose, without signing it, or apparently attempting to negotiate it?

[Lennon]

Luke doesn't get on with RL, and doesn't want to be coached by him.

According to my source - it is not RL

Then what (or who) is it, according to your source?

[Spinner]

Luke doesn't get on with RL, and doesn't want to be coached by him.

According to my source - it is not RL

Then what (or who) is it, according to your source?

Seconded.

[clarky449]

You gotta say it now...

[jimmy_slats]

when do we find out weather he resigned or has been delisted? i thought it was today???

[St Fidelius]

when do we find out weather he resigned or has been delisted? i thought it was today???

check out the "sticky"...

http://www.saintsational.com/forum/view ... hp?t=57477


Fri, Nov 13, 2pm – List lodgement two

[vacuous space]

I believe he has until November 10th to nominate for the national draft and December 1st to nominate for the PSD. If it's really down to us and the Dees the first date is irrelevant.

Also, if he has a problem with someone besides RL, it could be either Elshaug or Misson. Ball's minutes dropped after Rock left. Misson could be the one keeping him off the field. It's pure speculation on my part though.

[Eastern]

I heard the Melb CEO being interviewed on SEN earlier. He didn't sound all that confident that they would snare Luke. He did say (repeatedly) "If Luke leaves the saints". I don't know what this all means. I suppose we will just have to wait & see !!

[Teflon]

I know I talk from afar and dont know Ross Lyon but you can tell from the way the Swans players talk about him (the Kirks etc) along with those he coached at Carlton as an assistant....Ross Lyon is not a bloke that pulls any punches. Ive heard repeatedly he is very frank on player performance - and when you dont. Thats to be expected at this level.

I am convinced it would not be a personal thing for Lyon - he's to clinical (see his love of game stats which he obviously studies frequently) so any issue Luke Has (IF it is with Lyon) isn't insurmountable IF the relationship is kept on a professional level and both respect where the other is coming from.

As somone else posted......best way for Luke to fix any 'relationship' issues is to perform consistently.......and lets be honest.......I dont think any Saints fan could say Luke Ball has delivered consistently to the standard many good footy judges suggest he is capable of (and I know hes had injury and thats been an obvious huge issue for him and he gets a great deal of slack for that).......but I do wonder if the injury issues are behind him now (as Lyon and the club have repeatedly said when he was dropped - "Luke is 100%right to go...its not injury...") if this is the case is any "relationship issue" purely just Luke simply not delivering to a level the club feels he has...and to a level he's been previously paid at?

Could it be that simple: that Luke doesnt like hearing it, still perhaps 'feels' hes elite (Judd/Hodge/Ablett IMHO are elite...Ball is not) and hasnt reconciled with this yet?

OR

Is it a case of Lyon and club simply not facing up to the fact that the 2009 version of Luke Balls is as good as its gonna get??? (which would indicate game time - unless Luke drastically improves performance levels - willcontinue to be minimal?) and therefore need to rethink any efforts to magically turn Luke into a 'run and carry player' when he's not. When maybe he is just a very good Brett Kirk?

It would be great for it to be resolved - for any so called "issues" to be dealt with professionally and for Luke, Ross or the unnamed 3rd party relationship person...to be able to someday look back on this time as one that glavanised efforts towards a St Kilda flag.

I can see why Luke would haved lots to mull over in his 'wise' head.

[SainterK]

Luke doesn't get on with RL, and doesn't want to be coached by him.

According to my source - it is not RL

Then what (or who) is it, according to your source?

Seconded.

Dave Misson?

[linz]

Luke does have a wise head as does our coach.

Different theories, that's all.

Both smart blokes though.

It probably comes down to a lack of communication. Maybe Luke should talk to Ross without the manager around,

[Mr Magic]

It probably comes down to a lack of communication. Maybe Luke should talk to Ross without the manager around,

He can't, the manager is permanently affixed to his pocket.