Luke Ball retires

[Ricochet]

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2014-08-28/luke-ball-retires

One of the grand careers of the last decade is about to draw to a close, with Luke Ball choosing to retire at the season's end.

With back surgery required for Ball to play on in 2015, the decorated midfielder has opted to step away from the game he graced with power, strength, ball winning ability, selflessness and great dignity for the best part of 13 years.

The need for a post-season operation became apparent this week.

Ball met with Collingwood senior coach Nathan Buckley on Wednesday and afterwards, with a compromised pre-season on the horizon and the reality of fewer opportunities in 2015 made plain, thought differently about his initial ambition to continue.

"I still have the competitive will to play on but the team is evolving and physically I know I need everything to go right to meet my expectations and the standard required by the team," Ball said.

[Pkbaldy]

It was a shame he was ever let go from the Saints. Great player... Good luck to him with whatever he does.

[Jackross10]

Love Bally. Wish him the best.

[T Dog]

Gun...premiership gun... 8)

[Spinking]

Sad to see him go. Think he would make a good coach - will be interesting to see if he heads that direction...

[ossie85]

Has a unique place in AFL history, and I think almost the best onfield leader we had bar Maxwell