Toast Luke Ball

[4#Didak#4]

As Luke is gone for the year I think its appropriate to recognise his efforts & contributions to the club in the last two years. Not wanting this to sound like an obituary just an acknowlegement of his commitment & effort since he has arrived at CFC.

His professionalism, leadership, discipline & courage have been amazing to witness. Due to his OP at St Kilda he had been severely underated (including by me).

Everyone new he was a hard nut but every other aspect of his game is solid - his one weakness when he came to the club was kicking penetration. This clearly has been fixed, with his set shot goal kicking a feature. His clearance work, hard ball gets & tackling have underpinned our game the last two years. He has shown the younger guys what it takes to get the job done.

We all know what Luke Ball is going to do each week, he is reliable & predictable - I love that.

He is built for big hard finals games. No one will forget his two match winning goals in the finals last year, basically securing us a GF appearance, they have certainly immortalised him at the CFC.

Although he will be out for the year he is the sort of bloke you know will contribute behind the scenes & continue to provide professionalism, leadership, discipline & courage. We just acquired a new midfield assitant coach, move over Robert Harvey. I smell a future AFL coach.

P.S. Luke Ball was Ross Lyon's greatest gift to the CFC, he probably should be captain of the St K football club right now. Thankyou Ross, by the way I think Fyfe's shoulders are cooked you probably should off load him like all the supercoachers are doing.

 

[dubber]

He is a leader on and off the field, a consummate professional who adds so much value to our club.
I have no doubt that he will come back stronger than ever like his mate Lenny has.

I was shattered for Ball earlier this week and shed a tear or two on the inside. Words cannot describe the man love i have for Luke

 

[mattys123]

It was great to hear him speak about helping the other guys out who have down their knees this year (Krak and Caff).

I'd go as far to say that with Ball helping him, Andrew Krakouer will play again this year, because Bally will ensure he gives himself every opportunity to do so.

Caff and Ball are write offs for the year, but having someone like Luke Ball around the rehab area can only help to keep the spirits up of anyone who does a long term injury this season.

As always, when it comes to Luke Ball, there is a silver lining.

 

[daics_35]

It was great to hear him speak about helping the other guys out who have down their knees this year (Krak and Caff).

I'd go as far to say that with Ball helping him, Andrew Krakouer will play again this year, because Bally will ensure he gives himself every opportunity to do so.

Caff and Ball are write offs for the year, but having someone like Luke Ball around the rehab area can only help to keep the spirits up of anyone who does a long term injury this season.

As always, when it comes to Luke Ball, there is a silver lining.

I heard Krakouer is expected to start running in July, so we could actually have him back for this year. With Luke Ball's help it will deffs give Krak's a better chance.

 

[morgues]

Thanks 4#Didak#4 for starting this thread as it is a great thing to read.

I agree with everything that has been said about Luke Ball. The amazing work he does as a leader of our great club, the man-love people have for him and just seeing him stay positive is a testament to an amazing individual. It never ceases to amaze me that he was able to move so easily to us, and I am so grateful to see his name amongst our list.

Its funny because even some mates at work who dont go for the pies all heap praise on him and wish him well. He just seems like too nice of a bloke!

As has been said, his leadership, positivity, professionalism and all round good demeanour will continue to have nothing but a good effect on the club. Wish there was a way he could come back later in the year to help us make inroads into September, but knowing he is still going to the club, meetings, helping out, well, I am so proud he is one of us.

Seeing him on The Club last night was bittersweet. Was sad because he was gone for so long but happy to hear his words. What a deadset ****in champ. And its grouse to see the love for Bally

 

[jathanas]

I'm happy to confess about the man-crush I have on Luke Ball.

The guy went to the club and did a gym session the day before knee surgery. On the morning of the day he'd go under the knife he went and helped out at the recovery session.

What more needs to be said? Selfless and inspirational.

 

[rand corp]

I've got a huge man crush for Bally, just a giant of a man in terms of dignity, character and integrity.

I think he has a massive influence on our playing group and on the club and would love to see him in a coaching/development/mentoring role whilst he is injured and for years to come after he retires from playing.

 

[Bunjii]

I've got a huge man crush for Bally, just a giant of a man in terms of dignity, character and integrity.

I think he has a massive influence on our playing group and on the club and would love to see him in a coaching/development/mentoring role whilst he is injured and for years to come after he retires from playing.

Absolute legend of the highest order, thankyou Ross

 

[BEEG]

Almost Collingwoods greatest recruit since Buckley

It will be great to see him play out his career at the Pies and become one of our all time greats

He was a massive reason we won the flag abd will never forget his or Jollys efforts

 

[jackcass]

hear hear! think he'll still have a significant impact this year despite not playing another game. can see him mentoring several of the kids, has lots to offer.