St.Kilda midfielder Luke Ball is the National AFL Rising Star round two nominee.

Rotating through the midfield, Ball not only showed his ability in his attack and use of the ball, but also displayed a strong understanding of the game that could be expected from a player of greater experience.

Ball played the first three quarters against Adelaide, collecting 11 possessions and kicking a goal in the second quarter before suffering cramp in his calf. He was unable to return in the final quarter.

The 18-year old, having achieved his goal – which was to make the side for round one – is now looking to stay healthy for the rest of the season.

“My first goal was to play and play round one and I was lucky enough to do that. Now my main goal is to keep my body in a good enough state to be able to stay in the side and hopefully play 22 games,” Ball said.

“Great honour. It was certainly a goal that I set myself at the start of the year and to get it round two is good.”

“I only played four games last year, pretty a year off, so it was good to string a few games together,” he added.

St. Kilda coach Grant Thomas has praised Ball for his maturity and leadership qualities, highlighting his desire to see not only himself, but more importantly, his team achieve success.

“He has enormous maturity and he’s a deep thinker about the game,” he said. “He doesn’t conduct himself like a veteran just yet, but he conducts himself far in excess of the years of experience he’s had.”

“Some guys need to be eased in, (Nick) Riewoldt didn’t need to be, (Justin) Koschitzke didn’t need to be and I don’t reckon Ball will need to be,” Thomas said.

While thrilled for his young recruit, Saints coach Grant Thomas thought the best was yet to come.

“I’d be really surprised if it’s going to be his best game for the year. It’s debatable whether he played better last week or this week.” Thomas said.

Ball agreed, modestly suggesting it must have been a “quiet week for the young blokes”.

Continuing a family tradition, Luke is the third member of his family to play for St. Kilda, along with his grandfather Felix Russo and uncle Peter Russo. His father Ray Ball played at South Melbourne and Richmond.

The No.2 selection in the 2001 National Draft, Ball made his debut for the Saints in this season’s Wizard Home Loans Cup competition, having been diagnosed with osteitis pubis last year.