Ball was selected as the No.2 overall pick by St.Kilda in the 2001 AFL Draft. Ball did not debut until round 1 2003 for the Saints due to school studies but quickly himself as an impressive young player. Ball was nominated for the NAB Rising Star Award in his debut season and just two seasons later was selected as All-Australian. Ball won the St.Kilda Best and Fairest (tied with Steven Baker) in 2006 and after just four years of playing was announced Co-Captain with Lenny Hayes in 2007. Ball played 142 games for the Saints in seven seasons but was on the outer of the St.Kilda team in 2009 and requested a trade to Collingwood at the end of the yerar. He was picked up by Collingwood at pick No.30 in the AFL Draft. Ball became a premiership player last year playing in the winning side for Collingwood against his old team St.Kilda. Ball has played 177 career games and is known as one of the best in and under midfielders in the game, he exceeds in areas such as tackling and contested football.