By Sam Lienert
November 27th 2009 @ 1:14am
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Magpies get Ball to end weeks of agony
Luke Ball’s manager says the former St Kilda skipper was made to endure “six weeks of agony” before finally getting his wish to join rival AFL club Collingwood through the national draft.
While Victorian 18-year-old midfielder Tom Scully earned the night’s honoured position of being taken with the No.1 pick, ahead of South Australia’s Jack Trengove – both joining Melbourne – it was Ball’s recruitment at pick No.30 that was the big talking point.
The 25-year-old former Saints best and fairest initially tried to join the Magpies during trade week at the start of October, an ambition that was denied when the two clubs could not agree on a deal.
It prompted him to enter the draft and put an asking price of almost $1 million over two years on his head in what has proved a successful gamble to win his way through to his chosen club.
“It’s a big thrill, six weeks of agony and tonight a really satisfying result for Luke,” his manager Paul Connors said.
Collingwood were able to snare the gutsy midfielder with their first pick, No.30 overall, after fears that Melbourne or Essendon, who had a combined seven selections between them before that point, might swoop earlier proved unfounded.
“You’re never confident because there were 29 picks before us,” Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said.
“… We were happy to get him at 30, but never confident.”
The Magpies ended up giving up less than they offered during trade week, having put on the table picks 25 and 62, or pick 30 and a player.
But Walsh said they would certainly have preferred the earlier route.
“If we had have traded for him, he would have been training for three or four weeks,” he said.
But Saints coach Ross Lyon had no regrets, despite his club’s refusal to trade meaning they got nothing in return, when Ball’s eventual draft position showed Collingwood’s offer had been better than market value.
“We certainly have no regrets, we wish Luke personally all the best,” Lyon said.
He said there was no ill feeling between himself and Ball, but he had not cared whether he reached the Magpies or not.
“I walked through the door knowing Luke Ball was going to get picked up by an AFL club, who that is doesn’t concern me,” Lyon said.
Five other AFL-experienced players also found new homes, including 99-game Saints defender Matt Maguire, snared by Brisbane.
The Saints picked up highly talented, but injury-prone ex-North Melbourne 23-year-old Jesse Smith and discarded Richmond ruckman Adam Pattison, while Hawthorn nabbed speedy ex-Brisbane forward Rhan Hooper and the Magpies drafted former Demon Simon Buckley.
Meanwhile, Demons coach Dean Bailey said it had been almost impossible to split Scully, a hard-working, prolific ball-winner who captained Vic Metro at this year’s under 18 championships, from Trengove.
Trengove impressed playing senior football for SANFL side Sturt this year, including a best afield 29-touch performance to lift the side to a preliminary final win.
“Unfortunately we were required to call them one by one, if it was up to me we would have called them out together,” Bailey said.
Two of the more notable names drafted were Nicholas Winmar, drafted by St Kilda, where his relative Nicky Winmar made that name famous, while Essendon took Anthony Long, the nephew of their former club great Michael Long.
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Richard said | November 27th 2009 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Good on Luke Ball for persisting with his ambition and having the courage to see it through. If I was a Saints supporter though I’d be a bit uncomfortable with what is beginning to look like Ross Lyon’s bloody mindedness. No doubt you have to provide tough love as a coach if you’re going to get the best out of a group of highly testosteroned charged young men. Lyons has certainly displayed determination to reach the ultimate goal. In the course of the Ball negotiations, however, he has appeared not to have negotiated in good faith, and furthermore, to have shown scant regard for the welfare of his players, preferring instead to perhaps prove a point. If that is the case, it would not create a good atmosphere nor engender loyalty amongst the remaining players. Ultimately it may unravel teamwork and cause failure to reach that ultimate goal. I’d be a bit uncomfortable if I were a Saints supporter.
Redb said | November 27th 2009 @ 9:28am | Report comment
I reckon Lyon is fairly bitter after the GF loss, one that probably slipped from their grasp. I dont mind his hard headed approach – Saints fan will love him for it they win the big one in 2010 trust me.
At least he does not accept mediocrity – yeah he’s harsh, but setting a high benchmark never hurt anyone especially if well paid footballers like Luke Ball don’t give everything they’ve got in the tank.
You only have to look at Reiwoldt and the way he plays the game to see what Lyon wants from the entire 22.
Redb
Richard said | November 27th 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Well of course you’re right and I quite agree that, if the Saints win in 2010, Lyons will be revered by the fans. The Saints have had a great team with a number of great players for some time now. With those terrific assets, they should have won a premiership by now, maybe a couple. The fans are justifiably disappointed and are still hoping for success. Based on the comments I’ve been reading in the press, however, Luke Ball is held in very high regard both within the club and outside it, for his commitment, leadership, maturity and skills. St Kilda had even offered him a three year contract you remember. I may be wrong, but there does seem to me to be something between he and Lyons which is not constructive. From the outside it would appear that Lyons doesn’t treat other people with respect. His ultimatum, threats if you like, at the end of season function, his treatment of Max Hudghton and of Luke Ball all seem to point to a disregard for other people. As you say, if the Saints wins the premiership, all will be forgotten. My point is, I think his approach may ultimately make winning that premiership less likely.
Redb said | November 27th 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment
It’s a fair point, Lyon does run the risk of being too hard. I just dont think Luke Ball is consistently good enough atthe big dollar elite level. Clearly the Saints offered him much less than his $500K per year.
I liked his post GF comments, that set the tone. From bitter disappointment comes steely resolve I expect St Kilda to do an Essendon (2000) and win in 2010. They dominated teams thru 2009 and just missed a flag by a kick or two. if they dont do it next year they probably will miss the window.
Can’t wait for 2010 we have some revenge to exact on Adelaide in particular.
Redb
Searly said | November 27th 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
I think the main problem with Lyon’s approach is that, ultimately Ball was always going to leave St Kilda, especially since he knew he would always get picked up by another club in the draft if that was what it came to. So all that Lyon’s bloody-mindedness has achieved is that St Kilda missed out on the draft picks or players that Collingwood were offering in trade week. They effectively gave away a valuable asset for free!
Mind you, as a Pies fan I can’t say I’m complaining! More freebies for us I say!!!