Inspirational midfielder Luke Ball will play his 200th match of senior football and onball protégée Steele Sidebottom his 100th.
The Collingwood Football Club congratulates Luke and Steele on their achievements and looks forward to their continued excellence.
Luke Ball
Games: 199 (142 with St Kilda, 57 with Collingwood)
Goals: 83 (58 with St Kilda, 25 with Collingwood)
Recruited From: Xavier College/Sandringham U18/St Kilda
St Kilda Debut: Round One 2003 v North Melbourne at the MCG
Collingwood Debut: Round One 2010 v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
One of the most respected and revered players in the country, Ball has been invaluable for Collingwood since arriving from St Kilda at the end of the 2009 season.
He began his career under Grant Thomas at Moorabbin when he was drafted with the second overall selection in the famed ‘super draft’ of 2001 but did not play any senior football in his first season, instead focusing on his VCE studies at Xavier College.
Debuting in the first round of 2003, Ball quickly established himself as one of the courageous ball winners in the country and played a vital role in St Kilda’s rise into the competition’s elite between 2004 and 2008. He tied for the club’s best and fairest in 2005 and was named captain the following year.
Debilitating groin injuries and some big blows to the head limited his effectiveness in his last few years as a Saint but still managed to be one of his side’s best in its narrow loss to Geelong in the 2009 Grand Final. Controversially, Ball played only 46 per cent game time despite earning 22 possessions and seven clearances in conditions that suited his love of the contested ball.
He opted for a sea change at the end of ’09 but his hopes of shifting to Collingwood took a hit when the two clubs couldn’t settle on an agreement at the trade table. He instead had to wait until Collingwood read out his name with its first selection (No. 30 overall) in the 2009 National Draft before his dream could be realised.
It didn’t take long for Ball to make his presence felt at the Westpac Centre. He kicked three goals and had 20 possessions in a comprehensive win over Carlton in round six and celebrated his 150th AFL game with 10 tackles against Fremantle a fortnight later.
Ball’s story took centre stage when Collingwood met his old club St Kilda in the 2010 Grand Finals. He battled to have an influence, winning only 13 disposals, but was one of the best afield in the Replay when he gathered 25 disposals to cap off a controversial but ultimately fulfilling 12 months. His importance to the side was underlined when he tied for the Bob Rose Award as Best Player in Finals.
After a fine 2011 campaign, Ball’s career struck a snag when he underwent a knee reconstruction following a disastrous loss to Carlton early in 2012. He made a triumphant return to the senior side in round eight this season and has gradually worked his way back into top form. Although he has played only five games so far this year, he is currently averaging a career-high seven tackles and 24 possessions per game.
Honours:
St Kilda: Captain 2006, Co-Captain 2007, Best and Fairest (equal) 2005, 2nd Best and Fairest 2004, All-Australian 2005, International Rules Series 2005, AFL Rising Star Nomination (round two) 2003, St Kilda Pre-Season Premiership Side 2004, St Kilda Pre-Season Premiership Side 2008
Collingwood: Collingwood Premiership Side 2010, Collingwood Pre-Season Premiership Side 2011, JF McHale Trophy (4th Best and Fairest) 2011, Jack Regan Trophy (5th Best and Fairest) 2010, Bob Rose Award (Best Player in Finals) 2010 (equal), Gavin Brown Award (Leading Desire Indicators) 2010, 2011
Steele Sidebottom
Games: 99
Goals: 77
Recruited From: Congupna/Murray U18
Collingwood Debut: Round Seven 2009 v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
It feels as if the forever-smiling Sidebottom has been around years. It’s startling to remember that he is only 22-years-old and still has his best football well and truly ahead of him.
The youngest of five Sidebottom brothers caught the eye with 10 goals for the premiership-bound Murray Bushrangers in the 2008 TAC Cup Grand Final. He was selected by Collingwood with the 11th selection in the National Draft less than two months later and had broken into the senior side by round seven the following season.
Sidebottom debuted in an 88-point loss to St Kilda but remained on the fringe of senior selection all year. His finest hour came deep into September when he collected 25 possessions and laid 10 tackles to help Collingwood overcome Adelaide in the Semi-Final.
He missed only one game in 2010, playing mostly on a half forward flank with occasional stints in the midfield. He received his first Brownlow vote for his five goals against North Melbourne early in the season and saved Collingwood from defeat with a desperate spoil against Melbourne’s Ricky Petterd with seconds remaining in round two.
‘Steeleo’ again shone on the biggest stage when he was one of Collingwood’s best in the two Grand Finals against St Kilda. Still just a teenager, Sidebottom’s cool head and sure heads earned him two goals and very nearly the Norm Smith Medal in the Replay victory.
In the two and a half years since, Sidebottom has missed only one game and finished fourth in last year’s Copeland Trophy. He has been a model of consistency in the midfield and across half forward at different stages and lifted his output in the absence of Ball last season when he averaged a career-high 26.46 disposals per game.
Sidebottom will be only 22 years and 191 days old when he runs out for his 100th senior game on Friday night. He has played 99 of a possible 108 games since his debut four years ago. The sky is the limit for Sidebottom in his next 100 games.
Honours: Collingwood Premiership Side 2010, Collingwood Pre-Season Premiership Side 2011
