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The main thing that has helped me be more consistent is having a full pre-season," he said. "You hear about it a lot, but for me when I got drafted I was injured and had surgery in my knee.
"So I arrived at the club with no real base. It was always going to be my biggest challenge for the first few years of my career. I've also had some soft tissue problems along the way. In my second year I missed half the season.
"Being able to have a full pre-season over summer and really feel fit and strong has been the biggest change. It has correlated to being able to play consistent footy each week."
St Kilda's improvement in 2017 has come on the back of their younger players, like Billings, maturing, at the same time as their older players have recaptured good form.
While Jarryn Geary, 29, is by no means a veteran, Billings said the captain had been a constant source of guidance.
"Jarryn Geary is someone who I work pretty closely with. From the first day I walked into the club he really believed in me and his ongoing support is great.
"We are really good friends away from footy and that plays a factor but he has been great in helping me on my journey so far. He is a good role model for me and always backs me in."
StReNgTh ThRoUgH LoYaLtY
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly..!!
Player Review at end of season 2017:
45 - Jason Holmes - move on
44 - Mav Weller - late form poor. Move on.
42 - Lewis Pearce - Move on.
41 - Darren Mitchington - lack of opportunity. Move on.
37 - Bailey Rice - 12 months - then move on.
36 - Daniel McKenzie - signs. Stay
35 - Jack Sinclair - Keep. Obviously has the right number!
34 - Nathan Wright - move on.
32 - Paddy McCartin - 12 months - then move on.
31 - Brandon White - Keep. Good signs.
which Only Leaves Jason Holmes - who I believe is in the position of having to wait and see what the club does in trade and draft etc.
But wishes to remain in Australia.
StReNgTh ThRoUgH LoYaLtY
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly..!!
ST KILDA is looking to extend Paddy McCartin's contract in advance to avoid any extra attention on the No.1 pick next year.
McCartin's two-year deal expires with the club at the end of 2018, but the Saints are keen to move quickly on a new contract with the key forward, who has kicked 22 goals from 22 games in his first three seasons in the AFL.
The club's list and recruiting manager Tony Elshaug told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast that re-signing McCartin was a priority for the Saints.
"[There's] no doubt that you don't necessarily want someone who's been under such a spotlight to go through that speculation for the year and so forth," Elshaug said.
"To be frank, that would be something we'd really love to do. We're starting to have some good discussions around that with Paddy and his management and put that to bed and get down to football and being the best he can."
"Paddy's a Saints man and we'd like him to be a Saints man forever. We've got a lot of players that other clubs have made enquiries on just like we would with the other clubs," Elshaug said.
"There's some good players who could fit into our team and it's often a 'No', but that's OK and you have to ask those questions."
Elshaug said the Saints are also likely to push for an early extension of improved midfielder Seb Ross' deal, which runs through to the end of 2018.
David Armitage has been linked to a possible move away from St Kilda, but Elshaug said the experienced midfielder was contracted to the club until the end of 2019.
"David's been a wonderful player for the Saints," he said.
"We're hoping he gets back to full health, has an excellent season next year and bounces back, and that will strengthen our midfield as well."
The Saints will head into next month's trade period in a strong position holding two top-10 picks – No.7 and 8.
StReNgTh ThRoUgH LoYaLtY
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly..!!
A real Sainter will pledge allegiance to the ❤ and despise the Pies, the Blues, and the Injectors.
Remember one of the 10 Commandments : Thou shalt have no other team before thee