Luke Ball - getting back to his best

[Marc Shmurf 3]

How good was he last night. He looks free finally and is getting back to playing the footy that we all know he can.

Its a credit to his hard work and dedication to never give up.

Saints fans he was the best thing to come out of last night

Well done Bally

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Had a blinder of a first quarter and was pretty much covered after quarter time.

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

Had a blinder of a first quarter and was pretty much covered after quarter time.

Think your being a bit harsh...

6, 7 & 5 touches after quarter time & 12 in the 1st isnt going to bad dont you think???

16 contested possesions, 8 clearences & 8 tackles is a pretty good night by anyone's standards

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Think your being a bit harsh...

6, 7 & 5 touches after quarter time & 12 in the 1st isnt going to bad dont you think???

Its not bad but its what you'd expect of a quality midfielder. He was good but nothing special after 1/4 time

 

[Bollox]

Nahhhh...its great seeing him play well but he's not right yet by a longshot i reckon.

No coincidence he had a week off and comes out firing. That rest for that injury would be priceless. He's still way down on his pace and still wont/cant kick through the ball. Has adapted his game to cater for it.

Brilliant the way he has contributed to his club whilst struggling the last few yrs. Hopefully he's well on the way back though coz we deserve to see his best.

 

[Choota]

He's a good battler. St Kilda are soft, which is one thing you could never accuse Ball of being.

 

[Prem87]

Its great to seem him getting back to his best. Hopefully in a year or 2 he will get over his groin troubles and he will regain his speed and will be able to kick over 40m. Its such a shame injuries and mismanagement have held him back for superstardom.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Looks to be in the kind of form that has cemented him as 3rd best '01 pick behind Hodge and Judd.

 

[Hodgepodge]

He's still not the player he used to be, was more of a long-running, long-kicking attacking midfielder.

 

[Bollox]

Its not bad but its what you'd expect of a quality midfielder. He was good but nothing special after 1/4 time

Thats the other clue he's not right yet...he will deteriorate as the game goes. You see what he's capable of in the 1st but its impossible to keep it going.

We all saw it happen with Judd last year when he had his groin issues...he could start but would drop off markedly.

Bloody shame coz u can see just how good he is early on in many games like last night.

 

[Nathan Q Brown]

How good was he last night. He looks free finally and is getting back to playing the footy that we all know he can.

Its a credit to his hard work and dedication to never give up.

Saints fans he was the best thing to come out of last night

Well done Bally

think you'll find that Marty Clarke quietened him a bit after first term

 

[Choota]

Looks to be in the kind of form that has cemented him as 3rd best '01 pick behind Hodge and Judd.

He's nowhere near the 3rd best player from that draft. Judd, Ablett, Hodge, Bartel, Dal Santo, Mitchell, S.Johnson, Kelly, C.Brown all better players. I'm sure there are more too.

Ball is a tough battler who you can't help but respect. But many of the competitions elite players came from that draft and he just doesn't have their skill.

 

[Daytripper]

5 clangers, 63% disposal efficiency.

Love his hard work but is more A Simpson and J Bolton than Judd, Hodge or Bartel.

 

[KGCC07]

5 clangers, 63% disposal efficiency.

Love his hard work but is more A Simpson and J Bolton than Judd, Hodge or Bartel.

one things for sure, Ball >>>>> any Essendon Mdfielder

did you forget to mention 30 touches (16 contested), 8 tackles, 8 clearances?

 

[Mike_blues]

one things for sure, Ball >>>>> any Essendon Mdfielder

did you forget to mention 30 touches (16 contested), 8 tackles, 8 clearances?

what he sed^^

 

[Daytripper]

one things for sure, Ball >>>>> any Essendon Mdfielder

did you forget to mention 30 touches (16 contested), 8 tackles, 8 clearances?

Look, I like him as a player but he turns the ball over a hell of a lot and if you can't see that then you're watching the footy with blinkers on.

That coupled with the fact that he can't kick over 40 meters does not make him an elite footballer.

To tell you the truth I think Jobe Watson (both very similar types) has gone past him as a player but thats just my opinion.

 

[TassieSaint]

Luke Ball was awesome last night, but not at his best. If he still had his pace he could be elite. He still can't kick long, but he has adapted. What he does, going in there and gaining St Kilda possession, is vital for the team. His first quarter was his best, but he was still doing it after quarter time. His disposal efficiency, which I would assume includes kicks to space but not Saints players as unefficient?, is deceptive of how well he actually plays. Nearly every time he gets the ball it is not some cheap but efficient handball in the backline, but going into a pack and emerging with possession, even if he can't then find a man to kick directly to quick enough. People say he's not damaging, but him getting us the ball and denying Collingwood possession is just as damaging as setting up a goal (which he did twice anyway) if you ask me. He was BOG imo, but unfortunately it was only a glimpse of the footballer he could have been (and hopefully still can be).

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

To tell you the truth I think Jobe Watson (both very similar types) has gone past him as a player but thats just my opinion.

Surely Ball hasnt gone that far backwards

 

[StMick]

Bally is on the right track...

Greg Williams wasn't quick, couldn't kick that far but he made up for it with his football brains and won brownlows....I'm not saying he's in the same league as Deisal but he uses his nous and attack on the footy well.

Keep up the good work Bally!

 

[Marc Shmurf 3]

Its not bad but its what you'd expect of a quality midfielder. He was good but nothing special after 1/4 time

18 possessions in 58% of game time is not bad when you break it down. I still think you are bring harsh. And thats with Clarke running with him....

 

[The Big League]

I think you pies supporters are being a little harsh, I thought he was best on ground last night.

 

[sdsdsdsd]

Ball is easily the toughest player in the competition. No other player would have played under some of he's circumstances. In 2004, Ball was easily as good as any1 taken in that draft but unfortunately due to injuries, he has been left behind. Great player and hopefully he can become the great player he was supposed to be. Even so he is miles ahead of Jobe Watson.

 

[KGCC07]

Look, I like him as a player but he turns the ball over a hell of a lot and if you can't see that then you're watching the footy with blinkers on.

That coupled with the fact that he can't kick over 40 meters does not make him an elite footballer.

To tell you the truth I think Jobe Watson (both very similar types) has gone past him as a player but thats just my opinion.

At least Ball knows how to kick the bloody thing unlike Watson

 

[Hugh Jars]

To tell you the truth I think Jobe Watson (both very similar types) has gone past him as a player but thats just my opinion.

Hahaha thats just laughable.

The fact that Ball>>>>>Watson despite all his injury setbacks really sums up poor old Jobe....

Back to your daytrips pal

 

[Nathan Q Brown]

To tell you the truth I think Jobe Watson (both very similar types) has gone past him as a player but thats just my opinion.

you have gone stark raving mad! the only thing Jobe will ever lead Ball in in coughing the ball up. The over-rating of Watson at Essendon is symptomatic of their crapness! Ball is a beauty. Watson a spud. This is one of the dumbest comparisons I ever read!