How Luke Ball's failed trade became a Grand Final story
Luke Ball's failed trade to Collingwood forced him to nominate for the 2009 draft, where he was selected.
Player agent Paul Connors has described the tension of the 2009 AFL trade deadline when Luke Ball's bid to join Collingwood stalled. Ball, the No. 2 pick in the 2001 draft, had played 142 games for the Saints and desperately wanted to move to the Magpies.
On the final day, Connors arranged for Ball to meet with the Saints coach at Marvel Stadium to plead his case in person. The meeting went nowhere.
John Longmire warned the trade wouldn't happen. When the trade fell short, Ball took a risk by nominating for the draft at the end of 2009.
Collingwood selected him at pick 30. Ball went on to play 81 games for the Pies, including their 2010 Grand Final win over St Kilda.
- 142
- Games for Saints
- No. 2
- 2001 draft pick
- No. 30
- Collingwood draft pick
- 81
- Games for Collingwood
Why it mattersThe story reveals how deadline day failures can lead to unexpected outcomes, with Ball achieving his goal through the draft and becoming a premiership player.
AustraliaAFL fans follow the twists of trade deadlines closely, and Ball's path to a Grand Final became part of Collingwood's 2010 premiership history.
