Melbourne expects negotiations to begin as early as this week aimed at securing former St Kilda skipper Luke Ball, but the club is not prepared to use any of its first or second-round picks at November's national draft to achieve it.

The Demons are keen to snare the out-of-contract 25-year-old through December's pre-season draft where they have the first pick, after the move to Collingwood that Ball had requested failed to eventuate during trade week.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey conceded the club's chances of securing Ball would be compromised if he decides to nominate for the national draft.

"(Selections) one, two, 11 and 18 we're going to pick some young players and it's whether (selection) 34 comes into the equation or maybe 50," said Bailey.

"I don't think he's going to be there at 50, so it's whether we use 34, but as a list management group we haven't really sat down and decided that number yet."

Speaking ahead of the club's first pre-season training session at Junction Oval on Monday, Bailey said he was extremely surprised that St Kilda and Collingwood were unable to cut a deal during trade week.

Now that he's slipped through the net, Bailey believes Ball will be obliged to look for new horizons.

"I'm assuming that he won't want to go back to St Kilda for a start," said Bailey.

"We were surprised at the end of it, but at two or three minutes past two, (Melbourne chief executive) Cameron Schwab was out the door trying to find Luke Ball's manager."

Bailey said the club would sit down during the week with player manager Paul Connors to arrange to meet with Ball on his return from a short holiday to the United States in a fortnight's time.

He said the Demons' pitch would be straightforward.

"The biggest decision he's got to make is whether he wants to play for Melbourne and once he's made his decision, that 'I can see a future at Melbourne'," Bailey said.

"We'd need to sit down and paint the picture for Luke and ... after we do that he'll be in a better position to say yes or no to Melbourne or whether he puts himself in the national draft."

"He's the right age, he's got the leadership, he's got the experience qualities, but he's got to bring his football talent on the ground as well."

"His performance is going to decide how big a 'get' he is, I suppose, but he would be a nice fit into a young, developing midfield."

Bailey believes Ball has three or four years of his best football to offer and that period that will coincide with the Demons' development as a genuine finals contender.

Ball, he conceded, will have some tough decisions to make over the next few weeks.

"It's not just us, I'm sure there'll be other clubs," said Bailey.

"I'm sure St Kilda is still in there batting for him and there might be another club hoping he can come through the national draft so he's going to get pulled everywhere in the next week or two."