Round 2 – Luke Ball
It says plenty about Luke Ball’s stature that he is being spoken of as a future St Kilda captain. Ball, who received his nomination following his fine performance in the Saints’ shock round two win over Adelaide is one of a throng of young guns at Moorabbin. The number two pick at the 2001 AFL National Draft, Ball managed only four VFL games in an injury-plagued first season. But he has blossomed under coach Grant Thomas and is renowned for his ability to win the hard ball and use it with pin-point disposal. Team-mates Justin Koschitzke and Nick Riewoldt were the Rising Stars of 2001 and 2002. Ball finished third in the 2003 count on 17 votes.