Hint on Billings dropping

[older saint]

May be reading too much into it however in reading the Sandy review the coach specifically mentioned Billings concentration on running both ways and his focus and effort on this part of his game.

To me that says Adelaide review highlighted his lack of Defensive or unselfish running and hence dropped. Great thing is it appears he went away and worked on it specifically rather than dropped his bundle.

If this is true then will be back in sooner rather than later.

He is a class player and the Geelong game showed it. Now with more accountability across the whole club he has the potential to find that level people always thought he had

[Yorkeys]

It has been a long time since he was not an automatic in when fit. New experience for him. He is no longer the best field kick in the side either. Shows good list improvement. Be good if he can find another level.

[saynta]

And here is the coach's review.

https://www.saints.com.au/news/1140194/ ... r-straight

[skeptic]

Quality of the match reports has really improved this year

[Vortex]

Billings axing sets the stage now for the remainder of the season in what should be fascinating viewing of the sub plot.

Does he cop it on the chin and fight to show he is capable of performances that not only meets the coaches expectation, but also performances worthy of DP3.

Or does he drop his bundle and request a trade at the end of the year.

I

[saintsRrising]

May be reading too much into it however in reading the Sandy review the coach specifically mentioned Billings concentration on running both ways and his focus and effort on this part of his game.

""He had a big focus on his transition running, and his reaction time when the ball turned over. You can see he was working hard on that aspect of his game"".

In the Demons game the one thing I really, really, noticed was that the Melbourne players were exceptional about immediately acting when who won/lost the ball changed. I was way up on the top level and that gave me a great over all view. From that viewpoint is was impressive had well the Dees ran and how quickly they all reacted. Many also reacted before a turnover, to be in an advantageous position in case t did.

And not just acting , but going flat chat with hard running to get where they need to be. Whether that to be present options because they now have the ball, or to s*** down options because we now have the ball.

No stopping and thinking, no standing watching, they are moving straight away. That few seconds is vital in gaining the edge.

It is also one (of many) reason why Sinclair is elite now. He is always on the move to get where he needs to be.


From Batch's comment I would assume that they want Billings to be more Dees like.

[spert]

Clearly in the Adelaide game, JB just didn't put enough defensive pressure on from what I saw- could have gone in harder on a couple of occasions and put the ball in dispute in our forward line rather than letting the Crows raffle the ball and clear it

[st.byron]

Check out the pic of Jack Peris. Doesn’t look like a weedy kid any more.

[nostalgicsaint]

Based on this.

Windhager for Butler
Sharman for Higgins (if they are happy bringing Higgins straight back in)

[st.byron]

Based on this.

Windhager for Butler
Sharman for Higgins (if they are happy bringing Higgins straight back in)

I’d like to see Windy stay in the team. Give him continuity. Looks like a 200+ game player to me.

[nostalgicsaint]

Based on this.

Windhager for Butler
Sharman for Higgins (if they are happy bringing Higgins straight back in)

I’d like to see Windy stay in the team. Give him continuity. Looks like a 200+ game player to me.

Agree re the assessment of his capabilities but against one of the top teams I'd rather see a more experienced body who can hit the scoreboard more.

I think one of the kids needs to make way and he has had a pretty decent run now 10 touches, 1 goal and 1 tackle from 87%, time on ground probably isn't enough. Especially with Owens hitting the scoreboard and Milera performing very well.

To be honest I dont mind which of the 3 make way but think one of them does.

[Banger9798]

Quality of the match reports has really improved this year

Agree, and they are a bit more honest with fair critiques in there as well as pats on the back

[Yorkeys]

If Windhager and Butler we battling each other for a 50/50 ball in any situation Butler would not get a look in. Smaller, weaker kick, cannot break packs, can't take a contested mark. Windhager can. He should have had 2 goals Sunday. Butler would not have made the distance. Just don't get the Butler is better than vibe. Geary is probably also ahead of Butler as a defensive forward at the moment. Possibly Butler may have less pregame nerves than Windhager, possibly, the lad looks pretty composed, but that doesn't impact the scoreboard. Is Butler even faster than Windhager?

[bangaulegend]

IMO JB is in our best 22 when on song but obviously an injury interrupted pre season hasn't helped his preparation , but he will be back just needs to find some confidence & self belief . He is too good of a player to be in the magoo's IMO anyway

[Impatient Sainter]

IMO JB is in our best 22 when on song but obviously an injury interrupted pre season hasn't helped his preparation , but he will be back just needs to find some confidence & self belief . He is too good of a player to be in the magoo's IMO anyway

True but I think he needs another week or two at Sandi before he is considered again? Even his Sandringham game he didnt give the appearance of a player bursting with match fitness or as you mentioned confidence. We all know how hard he works and the distances he covers when he is on song. If he can return to those levels again he will deserve his position in the side.

If he could just be a bit more of an extrovert or aggressive in his games, he could take his game to another level.

[bangaulegend]

IMO JB is in our best 22 when on song but obviously an injury interrupted pre season hasn't helped his preparation , but he will be back just needs to find some confidence & self belief . He is too good of a player to be in the magoo's IMO anyway

True but I think he needs another week or two at Sandi before he is considered again? Even his Sandringham game he didnt give the appearance of a player bursting with match fitness or as you mentioned confidence. We all know how hard he works and the distances he covers when he is on song. If he can return to those levels again he will deserve his position in the side.

If he could just be a bit more of an extrovert or aggressive in his games, he could take his game to another level.

I agree 100% well said

[shanegrambeau]

IMO JB is in our best 22 when on song but obviously an injury interrupted pre season hasn't helped his preparation , but he will be back just needs to find some confidence & self belief . He is too good of a player to be in the magoo's IMO anyway

True but I think he needs another week or two at Sandi before he is considered again? Even his Sandringham game he didnt give the appearance of a player bursting with match fitness or as you mentioned confidence. We all know how hard he works and the distances he covers when he is on song. If he can return to those levels again he will deserve his position in the side.

If he could just be a bit more of an extrovert or aggressive in his games, he could take his game to another level.

I agree 100% well said

I wonder about the NT>AR ratio (Natural talent vs Assigned Role) ...So many players have a suite of skills and a natural swag that get trimmed and squashed into a `role' within the team structure.
Is Billings a victum of this?

Once players are told to put their skate board away and join the brassband, play bass and march to the beat.