Luke Ball praises Harry O'Brien for strength to go public on revelations; says Pies will support him

COLLINGWOOD players will use the lure of a football comeback to help Harry O'Brien overcome his personal demons.

COLLINGWOOD players will use the lure of a football comeback to help Harry O'Brien overcome his personal demons.

Luke Ball said it was important he and his teammates didn't judge O'Brien, but instead reinforce to him what he loved.

"It's all about supporting him ... and also letting him know that hopefully the way out is to play footy and to do what he does best," Ball said this morning.

"From a selfish point of view we need him out there playing well because he's probably having his best year and when he's playing well we're a better team.

"I think when these sort of things happen it's important for all of us who haven't been through things Harry's been through to reflect on how lucky we are.

"I can't possibly imagine what he's feeling and I'm not going to try and judge him."

Ball said he was aware of what O'Brien was dealing with and praised his teammate's strength for making it public.

"I had a fair idea. I wasn't shocked. The fact he came out and made it public I thought was really courageous," Ball said.

"I wasn't sure if he was going to do that. Hopefully that takes a bit of pressure off him and he's able to go and deal with his issues the best way he can.

"Our role is to support him and, when we get him back playing, to really welcome him back with open arms."

Ball, who plays his 200th game against Adelaide tomorrow night, admitted last year's serious knee injury had caused him anxiety over his playing future.

"There was a period last year where you have little bits of doubt over how you're going to come back," he said.

Ball said he found inspiration from former St Kilda teammate Lenny Hayes, who returned from a knee reconstruction to win a best and fairest.