He might have a reputation as one of the most ill-disciplined players in the NRL, but Issac Luke has found an unlikely ally in Manly rake Matt Ballin.
Luke returns to action against the Sea Eagles on Friday following a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle on New Zealand teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall in Souths’ win over the Sydney Roosters.
It was the latest offence on long rap sheet that includes his ban for a horrific ankle twist on England’s Rangi Chase during last year’s Four Nations tournament, which led to him being charged with deliberately trying to injure an opponent.
That incident came just two weeks after Luke infuriated Kangaroos’ prop David Shillington with a cannonball tackle to his legs, forcing the Queensland forward off the field with an ankle injury.
He was also charged with contrary conduct by the NRL for making contact with referee Jason Robinson in the Charity Shield against St George Illawarra in February.
But Ballin said he does not believe Luke is a dirty player and is an opponent who he relishes coming up against.
“I just think he’s a very tough player and hard to play against,” Ballin told AAP.
“He’s very elusive, he’s strong, has very good vision for a hooker and hard to tackle.
“He makes 100-odd metres a game and he is a big part of their attack.
“If you limit him, then you take away a bit of their go-forward.
“He plays hard, he’s aggressive and makes lots of tackles. I don’t think that makes him a dirty player.
“He does get under your skin, but that is just part of footy – it doesn’t bother me.”
The consistent Ballin is one of the unheralded players in a star-studded Manly side, and he admits he was concerned he’d be forced out of the club by salary cap pressures.
Canberra and North Queensland both made overtures to prise him away from Brookvale before the Sea Eagles offered him a new three-year deal in June.
“I had to look at the offers that were out there to safeguard my family’s future,” he said.
“We are very settled in the area and I wanted to stay, but there is always the problem with the salary cap.
“Thankfully, the club and I came to an arrangement that suited us both.”
