HAVING previously walked in their shoes, Collingwood veteran Luke Ball offered some sage advice on Thursday to teammates Dale Thomas and Heath Shaw, who are both considering their futures with the club.

Speaking on SEN on Thursday morning Ball, who left St Kilda to join Collingwood at the end of 2009, urged the pair to think through their decisions carefully.

"They're guys who started at Collingwood at a really young age and have gone though tough periods in their career," he said.

Faced with seeing their names in the newspapers every day on the merits of whether they should stay or leave, Ball said the pair would have much to think about.

"My only advice to them is to have a good think about it and not to rush their decision."

"Do what's best for you and once you make the decision, and the hardest part is making the decision, make sure you put all your energy into moving forward and don't look back, as tough as that is."

Ball was one of the leaders at St Kilda, but battled with injury throughout 2009. He spent most of the last quarter of the Grand Final that year on the interchange bench as the Saints fell agonizingly short against Geelong in the Grand Final.

"What you find is that time will heal things and if you put all your energies into moving forward, wherever that may be, all will be well."

Newspaper reports on Thursday indicated that all Thomas needs to do is pass a physical and his move to Carlton will be complete while Geelong and North Melbourne are two early suitors for Shaw, who remains contracted to the Pies and may well choose to stay.

Meanwhile, Ball is entering the final year of his contract with Collingwood and said that he will prepare for each season from now as if it will be his last.

He played 13 games in 2013 in his first year back following a knee reconstruction and said that he will return to pre-season training on November 18 feeling fresh and ready to play.