Luke Ball Extends Contract

[Kildonan]

Ball a Saint again
Sportal
Friday, 6 October 2006 5:45:27 PM AEDT

Star St Kilda midfielder and 2006 skipper Luke Ball has signed a new three-year deal with the Saints.

The Saints are in the midst of a search for their new coach, but can tick an important box now that the 22-year-old has re-committed to the club.

"I love the club and they have been so good to me," Ball told saints.com.au. "We have a strong list and I want to continue playing alongside these boys."

Ball has played 86 matches and booted 43 goals for the Saints since joining the club from Xavier College and the Sandringham Dragons with the second selection overall at the 2001 NAB AFL Draft.

He was equal first in last year's best and fairest after finishing second the year before and was also an All-Australian in 2005. In 2004 he also represented Australia in the International Rules series and was part of the St Kilda side that won the pre-season grand final.

He struggled with groin soreness throughout 2006 and finished outside the top 10 in the club best and fairest.

 

[Philhawk]

Excellent news for Saints fans!

I thought he actually had a pretty good year this year (by most other midfielders standards). The fact that he struggled with an OP/Groin injury this season, yet still fought through it all, is a true testament to the kind of person he is.

 

[St DAC]

Yep, he's a beauty. Gets unfavourably compared to Judd in particular, and Hodge as well, but they are all different style midfielders. Judd is just a standout, yet at draft time, Ball was considered ahead of him, primarily because of Judd's shoulder problems. Hodge is also a fine player.

All three can play, and each club should be content they got a good'un.

 

[falkstar]

He is a star, considering he missed first year with OP / school commitments, then played 16 games in 2003 (3rd in rising star) then 2nd and 1st in B and F, made captain, over the next 3 years, you can't complain.

This year his kicking and burst of speed just fell off the planet with thye injury. Just hope he gets over it, coz he looked loke a struggling old fella at times, despite still having a ferocious attack on the ball.