Tigers keep eye on Luke Ball Jon Ralph | Herald Sun October 14, 2009
RICHMOND has entered the race for disenchanted Saint Luke Ball, with the Tigers desperate to win his leadership skills as well as his football ability.
New coach Damien Hardwick has endorsed the club's decision, made on Friday afternoon after the club assessed its list after the trade period.
The club is aware Melbourne would be able to meet Ball's financial terms, but Richmond still has a powerful position to win a player in December's pre-season draft. Ball might prefer to slot into a Richmond midfield full of young talent, rather than be seen as the sole shining light in a Melbourne midfield that is exciting, but extremely raw.
The former St Kilda captain is travelling in America and has not yet made a decision on his future, or any potential new home.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said yesterday the club - with pick No. 2 in the pre-season draft - would actively chase Ball when he returned from his holiday.
"He is an impressive bloke. We had a chat on Friday afternoon and if Luke Ball was available we would have a really serious look at him," Gale said yesterday.
"If he nominates for the national draft, we would be reserving those selections for kids, but in the pre-season draft it would be a real possibility."
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