Collingwood's star recruit Luke Ball says it's a huge relief to be drafted by the Pies and that he's moved on without bitterness and rancour from his eight years at St Kilda.

Ball, a former St Kilda captain who lost the confidence of coach Ross Lyon during a turbulent 2009 season, was finally acquired by the Magpies with selection No.30 at Thursday night's AFL national draft after it appeared at several stages that rival clubs including Melbourne and Essendon would intervene earlier.

The 25-year-old told his first media conference as a Collingwood player that he watched the draft unfold on television at home with former team-mate Matt Maguire who was picked up by the Brisbane Lions, and his heart skipped a beat when the Demons announced Luke ... Tapscott as their nomination at pick 18.

"I thought I wasn't nervous, but as soon as the telecast came on and they started reading out a few names I felt like I was 17 again," said Ball.

"When (Collingwood recruiting manager) Derek Hine called out my name there was a bit of relief and I had my fingers crossed for Matt as well and I'm really rapt for him ... because he's worked super hard and for him to get another chance is great."

"It was a happy living room."

Ball said he'd gone through some tough times over the past six weeks and had ridden an emotional rollercoaster since resolving to quit the Saints and nominate Collingwood as his preferred new home.

"I haven't had a proper night's sleep for four or five weeks," said Ball.

"But I've moved on from St Kilda with no bitterness or no resentment at all."

"I had eight fantastic years at the club ... but after eight years I basically just felt like I needed a fresh start and a fresh opportunity."

"No doubt they've moved on and I've had to move on as well because, these days, a new season comes along pretty quick."

"Maybe when the dust settles I'll be able to explain it a bit better but I'm grateful to Collingwood for giving me an opportunity."

Ball said he had been in contact over the past week with many of his former team-mates who will remain life-long friends but had not spoken with Lyon, someone for whom he has "nothing but respect and thanks".

"It's a tough game, it's a brutal game," he said.

"You never think or wish that you would have to go through something like that, but I've got nothing but best wishes for Ross and the St Kilda footy club."

Asked whether his refusal to meet with interested clubs such as the Demons and Bombers left him open to suggestions that he was manipulating the draft, Ball said: "There's no secret that I told (manager Paul Connors) that my preference was Collingwood."

"He then went about doing his job and keeping me informed."

"From the time I nominated no-one had direct contact with me so to hear that we're going about it the wrong was news to me because from my point of view it was just Paul doing his job."

Having fronted the media, it was straight to the airport for Ball and a dash to Flagstaff, Arizona to join his new team-mates, several of whom had already sent welcoming texts, at their high-altitude pre-season camp.

Ball said he's looking forward to winning their trust and that he's "supremely confident" that his best football is still ahead of him.

"I've probably only ever done one full pre-season, if I'm going to be honest about it," said Ball.

"I'm really confident that, provided I want to do the work, which I'm pretty sure that I do, that I've still got some good footy left in me, absolutely."