FORMER St Kilda captain Luke Ball will play a key role at Essendon next season, helping foster the player culture and leadership ranks.
In massive coup for the Bombers, Ball, 33, will start work at Tullamarine next week as new player performance manager.
One of the most respected player voices of the past decade, Ball will attempt to help build the synergy and connection between the playing ranks and coaching group as the Bombers look to jump into the top-four this season.
It is considered an important new role within the football department after the Bombers topped up its squad with three key signings including former Western Bulldogs premiership forward Jake Stringer in the trade period.
Ball, who played 223 games at St Kilda and Collingwood including the Pies’ 2010 premiership, has worked at the AFL in recent years helping assist the match review panel, football operations and umpiring.
He was also president of the AFL Players’ Association between 2012 and 2014 and has long been considered a senior club executive in the making.
Luke Ball with the premiership cup after Collingwood’s Grand Final win in 2010.
New football boss Dan Richardson said the Bombers were thrilled to land someone of Ball’s capability and standing in the game.
“We are really excited to have Luke join the Club in this important role,” Richardson said.
“Luke is highly respected and brings over 15 years of AFL industry experience to the club. “His extensive knowledge of football both as a player and in many areas throughout the AFL make his appointment a significant result for the club.”
People and culture general manager Lisa Lawry said Ball would work closely with senior coach John Worsfold and Richardson as well as the players.
“Luke will be responsible for building and developing the leadership capability across our playing group as well as coach development, maximising the relationship between coaches and the playing group, and building the alignment between the players shared vision and the broader club values,” Lawry said.
Luke Ball during his time with St Kilda.
Ball said he was excited by the opportunity to join the rising Bombers after emerging from the darkest period in the club’s history with a finals placing last year.
“The club has clearly shown great resilience over recent years to work their way through an extremely difficult period, into a position of opportunity and optimism,” Ball said.
“I look forward to working with and learning from a hungry and exciting young playing list, group of coaches and staff, who in unison have an intense desire to maximise their opportunity and potential”.
His appointment continues the significant off-field change at Essendon following the addition of former Richmond talent boss Richardson to the role of football chief late last year.
Former premiership Cat and Bomber defender James Kelly has joined the club’s coaching ranks while former assistant coach Guy McKenna has left to take up a position at Cricket Victoria.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...p/news-story/8d826367a35de36aebaf5a4327e6fc55
Didn't know where to put this but a great get for the club
