Clubs go green: recycled players prominent

FORMER St Kilda captain Luke Ball will play for Collingwood next season after he was taken by the Magpies with pick No.30 in the NAB AFL Draft.

And his ex-teammate, defender Matt Maguire, has surprisingly had his career resurrected by the Brisbane Lions, who snared him with selection No.91.

Maguire failed to play a senior match with the Saints this season after only four in 2008 because of foot stress fractures.

He departs St Kilda after 99 senior games.

Two AFL-experienced players have found new homes with the Saints - injury-hit ex-Kangaroo Jesse Smith and delisted Richmond ruckman Adam Pattison - while former Melbourne midfielder Simon Buckley is also now a Magpie after being taken at No.85.

Ball, who unsuccessfully sought a post-season trade to Collingwood, was overlooked by the other clubs thought to be keenest on winning his services - Melbourne and Essendon - with their earlier picks in the draft.

Melbourne chose Luke Tapscott from North Adelaide - pausing dramatically for effect after saying "Luke" - with pick 18, while Essendon opted for youngsters Jake Carlisle (Calder Cannons) and Claremont's Travis Colyer with picks 24 and 26.

The Brisbane Lions, whose coach Michael Voss had publicly canvassed drafting Ball, also passed the tough midfielder by with selection No.27, leaving the Magpies free to snare their man.

Ball, who played 142 matches in seven seasons with the Saints, will add steel to Collingwood's midfield.

He was originally drafted to St Kilda in 2001 with pick two.

Collingwood's national recruiting manager Derek Hine said it was a rare opportunity to grab an All-Australian, former club captain and a player who had performed well in a grand final with a selection as late as No.30.

Hawthorn was the second club to choose a recycled player, picking former Brisbane Lions small forward Rhan Hooper with selection No.58. Hooper had been training with Richmond.

St Kilda caused two shocks at No.60 and No.64 when it chose Smith and Pattison. Smith had been training with Hawthorn after quitting North Melbourne.

The Hawks redrafted defender Matthew Suckling, for the second time, with pick No.70, while Carlton elevated rookie-listed Sam Jacobs with selection No.72.