DESPITE many 'mourning' the death of the bump during the week, returning Collingwood star Luke Ball says he will not be taking a backward step when it comes to protecting a teammate.
In the wake of James Kelly's two-week suspension for bumping Brendon Goddard), several players and commentators have said players would be reluctant to crash in to an opponent.
But Ball said he would not shirk the issue if the opportunity to bump or protect a teammate, with a fair hit, presented itself.
"If there's an opportunity to bump [against Geelong] I'm not going to be thinking twice, and I wouldn't expect my teammates to do that and the Geelong players as well," Ball said.
"You've obviously got to be careful and there's probably a technique in how to do it, but I think the whole thing about players second guessing themselves has been blown out of proportion a little bit."
Ball said the "outcry" came about as Goddard had not been injured in the exchange with Kelly.
"I think what we're not used to is guys getting suspended when there's no damage to their opponent," Ball said.
Ball ruptured his ACL against Carlton in round three last season and has played two VFL games on his return to senior football.
During that time he has averaged 30 disposals and four tackles per game.
The Pies midfielder revealed it was scar tissue in his hamstring that delayed his return to football, not any troubles with his knee.
"There were at least half a dozen times (he suffered a set back). It's funny because it's not a hamstring tear, there's obviously a bit of scar tissue there.
"The knee was right to go about eight months in, so no that hasn’t been an issue at all."
Ball's return to the Collingwood line-up to face Geelong on Saturday night is timely, given the club has struggled for personnel and form.
"I see it, in a way, as a bit of a restart so I can just go out there and play, obviously within the parameters of the team," he said.
When asked whether he would start as Collingwood's substitute against the Cats, Ball replied: "I don't think Green's my colour. I'll try to stay away from the green vest."
Ball describes Thursday's revelation - of 26 players failing drug tests under the AFL's ilicit drug policy in 2012 - as "disappointing" but stresses there are positive aspects from the findings.
Speaking to the media ahead of his first game for Collingwood since round three last season, the AFLPA president said the figures were a clear indication of how much work still needed to be done.
"It's disappointing, I think. But again it's just a reflection of the broader society," Ball said. "It's something that needs work every year."
But Ball said the findings could be used to educate more players in the AFL system.
"Looking from the positive side of it, which I think (AFLPA CEO) Matty Finnis mentioned yesterday, is that we are identifying more people that might need a bit of help.
"If people who understand it, and the guys that are there can sort of balance out that bad PR with the good aspects of it, then that would be nice for us as well."
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
