Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser is looking forward to a different role next AFL season now that Darren Jolly will be a team-mate.

The Magpies had a big win in trade week when they picked up Jolly from Sydney and he will share the ruck duties with Fraser and Cameron Wood.

Fraser has struggled with knee problems in the last couple of year and this season he missed seven games.

Having Jolly in the side will take some pressure off Fraser as the No.1 ruckman and probably give him more time in attack.

"Hopefully I'm sharing ruck duties, pushing forward, playing half-forward and doing my role for the team," Fraser said.

"It just adds another string to our bow and frees me up a little bit.

"It's a real positive move getting `Jolls' into the club, hopefully that will be the edge that takes us that extra step."

There was speculation during trade week that Fraser might be in the trade mix, but he says that was wrong.

Fraser is having a slow start to pre-season training, but hopes to be at full fitness by early next year.

"I didn't get a phone call from anyone at the footy club saying I'm on the trade table, so I didn't worry," he said.

"At the end-of-season meeting, they said 'what would you think about bringing in another ruckman?' and I was all for it.

"I'm going to have a different start, I suppose, but hopefully towards Christmas I will really start to crank things up and then post-Christmas hopefully be in full swing.

"I'm looking forward to a big year ahead."

Fraser was speaking at the launch on Wednesday of "Side By Side", a behind-the-scenes book that details Collingwood's 2009 season.

Magpies president Eddie McGuire was also asked at the launch about midfielder Luke Ball, who has quit St Kilda.

He wanted a trade to the Magpies, but that fell through and he has now nominated for the November 26 draft.

"Luke Ball has put himself into the draft and every team that has a pick gets a chance to pick him up," McGuire said.

"We have pick 30 and if he's there at pick 30, he'll be judged compared to the available talent.

"(Recruiting manager) Derek Hine will make the right call at that time if he's available."

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