The 29-year old is one of three inclusions for the pivotal match-up, joining veteran ruckman Ben Hudson and versatile defender Jordan Russell in replacing Darren Jolly (toe), Ben Reid (hamstring) and Adam Oxley (omitted).
Collingwood Director of Football Geoff Walsh said that Jolly and Reid’s injuries are not expected to sideline them for an extended period of time.
“They’ll both be assessed again after the weekend rehab sessions,” Walsh told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“At this point it doesn’t look like they’re long term injuries.”
A late withdrawal from the Magpies side which defeated the Western Bulldogs by 34 points in round 12, Ball will resume his place in the match day squad after overcoming a calf complaint in a boost for the Black and White.
Averaging 24 disposals per game this season, Ball has hardly skipped a beat since returning from an ACL injury in round eight, recapturing the form which saw him emerge as a key barometer for the Magpies during its stint as the competition’s dominant side in 2010 and 2011.
Providing added steel in and around the contest, Ball’s return has coincided with a series of improved defensive displays by the Magpies, borne out statistically in the one-time All-Australian ranking first among Collingwood players with an average seven tackles per game.
Ball’s influence around stoppages meanwhile has also proved telling, leading the club in percentage of centre square involvements, while he sits third amongst Collingwood players in average clearances with five.
Hudson meanwhile returns to the Collingwood line-up for the first time since Anzac Day, refreshed following a fortnight’s break after he was rested from the VFL Magpies last start win over Coburg.
Having been recruited to provide guidance and support for the emerging Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts, Hudson has proven a more than able alternative when deputising for the injured Jolly, his 19 hit outs per game at AFL level ensuring the Magpies retain a dominant presence at stoppages.
Following a string of superlative efforts at VFL level, Russell’s elevation is due reward for the 2004 top 10 pick, providing Collingwood with experienced cover in place of the absent Reid.
With his ability to line-up against both bigger bodied and small forwards, Russell’s inclusion affords a degree of flexibility to coach Nathan Buckley as Collingwood seeks to stifle a Port Adelaide outfit buoyed by its unexpected triumph over reigning premiers Sydney.
Andrew Krakouer, Marty Clarke and Oxley have been listed among the emergencies; while winger Clinton Young is likely enter the selection frame next week as he lines up once again for the VFL Magpies this weekend.
In injury news, Dayne Beams is at least a fortnight away from availability as he continues his bid to overcome a quadriceps injury which has dogged him all season, while veterans Alan Didak and Ben Johnson remain unavailable for selection due to respective calf injuries.
Port Adelaide v Collingwood
Round 14
Saturday 29 June
AAMI Stadium, 4.10pm CST
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Harry O’Brien
HB: Jordan Russell, Heath Shaw, Marley Williams
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Luke Ball
HF: Jamie Elliott, Quinten Lynch, Dane Swan
F: Ben Kennedy, Travis Cloke, Josh Thomas
Foll: Ben Hudson, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Ben Sinclair, Kyle Martin, Paul Seedsman, Sam Dwyer
Emg: Andrew Krakouer, Marty Clarke, Adam Oxley
IN: Luke Ball, Ben Hudson, Jordan Russell
OUT: Darren Jolly (toe), Ben Reid (hamstring), Adam Oxley (omitted)
