If the Magpies lose to Hawthorn on Friday night, it will be Ball’s 223rd and final AFL match.
The 30-year-old was drafted while still at school with pick two in the now celebrated 2001 ‘Super Draft,’ forging a career alongside fellow up-and-comers Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes and Nick Dal Santo.
He played in pre-season premiership sides in 2004 and 2008, was named an All-Australian in 2005, and played 142 games for St Kilda from 2003-2009.
Ball won the Trevor Barker Award alongside Steven Baker in 2005, and was named captain in 2006 and co-captain in 2007 with Riewoldt and Hayes.
Despite limited opportunities, the on-baller collected 22 disposals in the 2009 Grand Final loss to Geelong and laid seven tackles.
A year later, he played in a premiership with Collingwood and has been the President of the AFL Players Association since the start of the 2012.
A midfielder with tremendous courage and leadership, at his best, Ball was one of the most consistent and brave ball-winners in the competition.
