So it's goodbye to Luke Ball at Moorabbin after seven seasons.

The Saints confirmed today that Ball had quit the club, again peddling the line that they were interested "in retaining Luke and also outlined the improvements necessary for both Luke and the entire St Kilda playing list to again be competitive in 2010."

It's not the first time the Saints have placed on the public record that Ball is a player with deficiencies, but we can't recall too many instances when a one-time captain has been hung out to dry by his club in such a fashion.

Just about every player has flaws. But it is rare for a coach to keep banging on about it. First when he was dropped during the season, again after the trade period and again in today's media release, the Saints have pointedly said that Ball needs to lift his game.

As the second pick overall in the 2001 national draft, Ball will forever be linked with Luke Hodge and Chris Judd, although it has been apparent for at least the last two seasons, if not more, that Judd and Hodge were the better players. Gary Ablett, a father-son selection by Geelong in the same draft, is now the best of the lot.

Melbourne is jumping up and down and making lots of noise in an attempt to attract Ball, who we admit, would add much to such a young list.

Essendon will also make a pitch athough it is a shame that some way can't be found for Ball to find a temporary home in 2010 before a permanent move to the Gold Coast in 2011, because he'd make an ideal captain for the fledgling club in its debut season.

But you'd have to think that even at 25, Ball understands his football mortality and despite his indifference to the coach, staying with his mates at the Saints on the cusp of a flag must have been tempting.

About all that would lure him away from that is the chance to play for another club in flag contention and that club is Collingwood, so look for the Magpies to use a high-enough selection at the 26 November national draft to make sure that another club doesn't grab him first.

Ball was reportedly trying on the Magpie polo shirt for size in the bowels of Etihad Stadium on the final day of trade week when a deal fell through.

The slower and more forgiving MCG will suit a player like Ball with slightly dodgy groins. And as he showed in the grand final, he is a big game player and thanks to the AFL, no club plays in more big games than the Magpies.