Luke Ball
A fierce and respected AFL midfielder whose relentless pursuit of a premiership culminated in one of the game's most dramatic grand final moments.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Australian rules footballer, born 1984·Birthday: May 25·Millennials
Biography
Luke Ball's career is etched into AFL folklore for its heart, resilience, and ultimate triumph. Drafted by St Kilda, he quickly became the engine room of their midfield—a tough, no-nonsense ball-winner who captained the club and won its best and fairest award in 2005. His Saints came agonizingly close to a premiership, losing the 2009 grand final by a heartbreaking 12 points. In a bold move seeking that elusive flag, Ball crossed to Collingwood the following year. His journey reached a cinematic peak in the 2010 drawn grand final replay. With the game in the balance, Ball's desperate lunge and smother in the final minutes became an iconic image of selfless grit, helping secure the Magpies' premiership. He played in four consecutive grand finals for two clubs, a testament to his winning mentality, before retiring as a one-time champion and universally admired figure of the game.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Luke was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Luke Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Luke's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the St Kilda best and fairest award (Trevor Barker Award) and was named an All-Australian in 2005.
- Captained the St Kilda Football Club during the 2007 AFL season.
- Played in four consecutive AFL Grand Finals from 2009 to 2011, for two different clubs (St Kilda and Collingwood).
- Won an AFL premiership with Collingwood in 2010, with his final-quarter smother in the replay becoming legendary.
Did You Know?
He was the number 2 overall pick in the 2001 AFL Draft, selected by St Kilda.
He and his brother, Matthew Ball, were both drafted by St Kilda in the same year (2001).
He served on the AFL Players Association board during his playing career.
“I left St Kilda for Collingwood, and we won the flag in 2010.”
