Bruce volunteers for hard Ball get

[TelkoTheGreat]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/86203/default.aspx

MELBOURNE vice-captain Cameron Bruce says a contingent of players are prepared to court uncontracted St Kilda centreman Luke Ball if the coaches and recruiting staff want them to.

Bruce said the personal attention would be more than worth it to get Ball to a club that has recently lost tough onballer Brock McLean.

"He'd be a pretty good replacement for Brock", Bruce said on Tuesday.

"I was fortunate enough to play in the international rules with Luke and his leadership and professionalism would be unbelievable for this [young] group of players here, and he'd help us older guys too.

"Whatever his decision is, hopefully it involves coming down to the Demons."

Ball is still undecided on his future after his requested trade from the Saints to Collingwood fell through on the last day of the exchange period.

Bruce added to his voice to other Demons who have said they were disappointed to see McLean leave the club.

"It was his choice to leave … I'm good mates with Brock and I was disappointed to see him go," he said.

"He has his reasons and we've got a top-15 draft pick (No.11) for him so that'll give us four [picks] in the top 20 - that just adds to the exciting list of young guys that'll be keen to prove a point."

Meanwhile Bruce, who is the reigning Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy winner, believes this year's winner, which will be announced at Crown on Wednesday night, will either be Aaron Davey or Brent Moloney.

"They've both had career-best years and they're improving players and very important to our side," Bruce said.

"They both have different stories: Brent, considering what he's come through [with injury] to have an impact like he has; and Aaron Davey to come off a rookie list and be one of the most important players at our club.

"They'd both be worthy winners."

 

[cheney]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/86203/default.aspx

My question is why hasn't this been done already? Surely DB should have sent Bruce, J-mac, beamer, flash and co to speak to him as soon as the trade week was complete!!

 

[Dez!]

My question is why hasn't this been done already? Surely DB should have sent Bruce, J-mac, beamer, flash and co to speak to him as soon as the trade week was complete!!

Ball is on holidays and has been since trade week completed I believe and we said we would wait for him to return before talking further with him.

 

[dee64]

An informal meeting with a group of players would be a far more effective tool to wooing Ball than a presentation by the football department.

IMO, Bailey hasn't got the appeal to lure players from other clubs. He doesn't have a track record as a coach, and wasn't a highly respected former player.

 

[Supermercado]

His manager told us to leave him alone while he was there.

 

[DeesFan]

Ball will know which clubs want him and how they are willing to offer. I would suggest he (Ball) has to make a decision. Like all players he wants to play finals year after year or they want money to setup their future.

Hopefully Ball is the later.

 

[Trav 20]

Like all players he wants to play finals year after year

Other than possibly next year, I believe he'll be doing that at Melbourne.

 

[unstable punt]

Other than possibly next year, I believe he'll be doing that at Melbourne.

reckon he might stay at StKilda

 

[Deefolt]

this... i like

Brucey and Davey i would much prefer to talk to him then McDonald, McDonald, I'm sorry but should not be our captain, either Bruce or Davey should be... that's just my opinion....

 

[Swampfox]

If Ball doesnt want to come to Melbourne then whats the point

I wouldnt pick any player who hasnt got his heart in it

 

[Deefolt]

If Ball doesnt want to come to Melbourne then whats the point

I wouldnt pick any player who hasnt got his heart in it

No question to that, i doubt Melbourne will pick a player if he doesnt want to come. Thats where Bruce and other players come in, to convince him that Melbourne is in fact a very secretive paradise and many wonders and enchantments lie inside.

 

[KickLongTackleHard]

this... i like

Brucey and Davey i would much prefer to talk to him then McDonald, McDonald, I'm sorry but should not be our captain, either Bruce or Davey should be... that's just my opinion....

You'd need to be in the inner sanctum of the club to be able to tell who really is and isn't captain material I think.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Would be his first.

 

[Dez!]

Would be his first.

1/10 for that joke.

 

[dee64]

You'd need to be in the inner sanctum of the club to be able to tell who really is and isn't captain material I think.

Disagree. McDonald may do all the right things off the field, but it's not hard to tell which players motivate and inspire others on the field.

McDonald doesn't have that aura or presence about him, that would convince an opposition player to come to Melbourne. And neither does Dean Bailey. Garry Lyon had that in spades.

 

[Deefolt]

You'd need to be in the inner sanctum of the club to be able to tell who really is and isn't captain material I think.

Alright fair enough. But surely we have someone more captaincy material at our club then a last year player, who i think simply got the captaincy original because he has been such a worker for the club. Im not saying this is why, just stating an opinion.