Jack Billings Rising Star

[stinger]

Congratulations Jack.
It was only a matter of time.
The most skilfull player I have seen in a Saints jumper.
I watched him kick 50m pinpoint on his right (non preferred) yesterday and was amazed.
The guy is just 18 yo.
We have a beauty !

you didn't see the doc or stewart then???

[Goose is king]

The knee to toe must count as a goal and goal assist.

[noob]

Should give a lot of confidence which we need in the young guys. Kicks further on his non-preferred than Jones on his natural left.

[saintbrat]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/s ... 6964154014

[PurpleHayes]

Wanted to post some of the dribble that was posted over the past week or two regarding Billings:

*********
"If he was any one else he would have been dropped/rested weeks ago! I also think they are asking too much of a kid who has talent but has never played against men. If I had pick 3 now on this years form I would take Aish well ahead, with KK From GCS also a long way in front of Billings.
He is talented there is no doubt but he looks a bit timid at this stage to be rolled out against men each week!"

"For the first time, though, in 18mths I am starting to question our drafting/recruiting strategy. Personally I think Jack is going backwards at a million miles an hour and I don't think as a club we are doing him any favours. He is being played in the ones because he's our first round draft pick and we probably don't have anyone much better to come in for him. His confidence is getting smashed every week. If he was playing in a strong team he would be protected and gifted some soft delivery. He would also be up and down b/w the 1's and 2's as almost all 1st year players are. Restoring his confidence, learning a few more tricks in a less pressure cooker environment, then coming back into the team. I've seen him and a few of the young blokes really struggle these last few weeks. "

"No, he should have been spelled. Two weeks ago.
He was rag dolled last week and again this week he copped a physical lesson
He looks to have lost self belief"

"My concern stems from the fact that Jack missed a straightforward shot at goal in the 1st quarter. I've seen his kicking deteriorate in the last few weeks which suggests to me his confidence is shot."
*********

Just shows how reactionary our supporters are and how high our expectation are.
And how bloody wrong some of the opinions are on here. I'll all for opinions, but maybe Richo and the match committee know what they're doing with Jack!? I have no doubt they would be treading carefully given his age, hype and physical size. I'll commend them on how they have managed the kids thus far.
You'd think it was the apocalypse on here last week after losing to Geelong and Port. So many players labelled 'not up to it' or 'not AFL standard'. An 'honourable' loss VS the eagles and suddenly everything is rosie again on here... Footy is played over a season and not a few weeks - especially when a bottom 4 side plays a top 4 side, we are going to get pumped here and there.

I just ask that when we have our next big loss, take a step back and understand that we are young, inconsistent, inexperienced
and are rebuilding. Cut them some slack. If you want to be a fair-weather supporter then slam the side every time we lose.

Oh and - Billings you star!

Ps where are all of the recruiting sceptics that always bag Pelchen and Bains when a player doesnt turn out to be a star in thier first few games?
Billings, Acres, Dunstan, Longer, Delaney, Weller - all looking the goods to me from last years recruiting crop. Well done to them!

[savatage]

Well said PH!

[bigballs]

You could tell right from the start that this kid was going to be special.

Well done Jack.....well deserved!!

[Beno88]

Brodie Atkinson
Shane Wakelin
Joel Smith
Brett Moyle
James Begley
Caydn Beetham
Luke Ball
Raphael Clarke
Arryn Siposs

Plenty of Rising Star nominees who didn't go on to be Saints stars! Or at least four of these guys were better elsewhere.

Luke Ball not a star? 142 games, captaincy and a best and fairest would probably suggest otherwise.

[bergholt]

Brodie Atkinson
Shane Wakelin
Joel Smith
Brett Moyle
James Begley
Caydn Beetham
Luke Ball
Raphael Clarke
Arryn Siposs

Plenty of Rising Star nominees who didn't go on to be Saints stars! Or at least four of these guys were better elsewhere.

Luke Ball not a star? 142 games, captaincy and a best and fairest would probably suggest otherwise.

Probably right. I still think he's more likely to be regarded a Collingwood great than a St Kilda one. What I'm told is that's definitely the way he considers himself.

[Saint wagga]

Great work Jack Billings - Great start to a career and hoping he has a long and successful one with the saints. I reckon Blake Acres will complete the trifecta by the end of next season!! Those three could form part of the core of our next midfield, exciting times!!

[howlinwolf]

Congratulations Jack.
It was only a matter of time.
The most skilfull player I have seen in a Saints jumper.
I watched him kick 50m pinpoint on his right (non preferred) yesterday and was amazed.
The guy is just 18 yo.
We have a beauty !

you didn't see the doc or stewart then???

No Sting. Didn't see either of them play.

[Andreous]

Wanted to post some of the dribble that was posted over the past week or two regarding Billings:


Ps where are all of the recruiting sceptics that always bag Pelchen and Bains when a player doesnt turn out to be a star in thier first few games?
Billings, Acres, Dunstan, Longer, Delaney, Weller - all looking the goods to me from last years recruiting crop. Well done to them!

Don't forget Eli

[dragit]

Probably right. I still think he's more likely to be regarded a Collingwood great than a St Kilda one. What I'm told is that's definitely the way he considers himself.

He's still playing for Collingwood so it would hard for him to say or think otherwise at the moment.
He'll be lucky to play 100 games for Collingwood at this rate… played twice as many for us as it stands.

[Spinner]

Wanted to post some of the dribble that was posted over the past week or two regarding Billings:

*********
"If he was any one else he would have been dropped/rested weeks ago! I also think they are asking too much of a kid who has talent but has never played against men. If I had pick 3 now on this years form I would take Aish well ahead, with KK From GCS also a long way in front of Billings.
He is talented there is no doubt but he looks a bit timid at this stage to be rolled out against men each week!"

"For the first time, though, in 18mths I am starting to question our drafting/recruiting strategy. Personally I think Jack is going backwards at a million miles an hour and I don't think as a club we are doing him any favours. He is being played in the ones because he's our first round draft pick and we probably don't have anyone much better to come in for him. His confidence is getting smashed every week. If he was playing in a strong team he would be protected and gifted some soft delivery. He would also be up and down b/w the 1's and 2's as almost all 1st year players are. Restoring his confidence, learning a few more tricks in a less pressure cooker environment, then coming back into the team. I've seen him and a few of the young blokes really struggle these last few weeks. "

"No, he should have been spelled. Two weeks ago.
He was rag dolled last week and again this week he copped a physical lesson
He looks to have lost self belief"

"My concern stems from the fact that Jack missed a straightforward shot at goal in the 1st quarter. I've seen his kicking deteriorate in the last few weeks which suggests to me his confidence is shot."
*********

Just shows how reactionary our supporters are and how high our expectation are.
And how bloody wrong some of the opinions are on here. I'll all for opinions, but maybe Richo and the match committee know what they're doing with Jack!? I have no doubt they would be treading carefully given his age, hype and physical size. I'll commend them on how they have managed the kids thus far.
You'd think it was the apocalypse on here last week after losing to Geelong and Port. So many players labelled 'not up to it' or 'not AFL standard'. An 'honourable' loss VS the eagles and suddenly everything is rosie again on here... Footy is played over a season and not a few weeks - especially when a bottom 4 side plays a top 4 side, we are going to get pumped here and there.

I just ask that when we have our next big loss, take a step back and understand that we are young, inconsistent, inexperienced
and are rebuilding. Cut them some slack. If you want to be a fair-weather supporter then slam the side every time we lose.

Oh and - Billings you star!

Ps where are all of the recruiting sceptics that always bag Pelchen and Bains when a player doesnt turn out to be a star in thier first few games?
Billings, Acres, Dunstan, Longer, Delaney, Weller - all looking the goods to me from last years recruiting crop. Well done to them!

Enjoyable reading! Where's it from? Bigfooty or here?

[saintbrat]

http://www.saints.com.au/video/2014-06- ... conference

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2014-06-24/s

[BigMart]

Are you saying he hasen't struggled for a few weeks until Sun?

I think he enjoyed playing in the pristine conditions against the softest opposition in the AFL?

Not saying he wasn't great, or isn't going to be great.... He looks absolutely classy

But, a young body copping a battering.... Luke Ball?

[plugger66]

Are you saying he hasen't struggled for a few weeks until Sun?

I think he enjoyed playing in the pristine conditions against the softest opposition in the AFL?

Not saying he wasn't great, or isn't going to be great.... He looks absolutely classy

But, a young body copping a battering.... Luke Ball?

Joel Selwood. I gather that was directed at me or at least someone else on this forum?

[BigMart]

No it wasn't P66.... But anyway...

Didn't know Jack was as physically and mentally mature as Selwood... Or more importantly walking into a team which he won more than 80 of his first 100 games....

But anyway

[fingers]

Jack was probably only slated to play 5-8 games this year. Will need to be carefully managed so we don't kill him.

[PurpleHayes]

Rest assured that Richo, Pelchen and co will no way overcook Billings this year.

They moreso than all of us will know hie true worth and potential and will tread very carefully each week.

I suppose playing in a fwd pocket/flank means he get through a bit more unscathed than say a Dunstan.

Funny thing - I can't remember seeing Billings tackled heavily or bumped hard this year? Just seems to be in the right spots at the right times and avoids the hard hits perhaps? Can anyone comment on this?

[gringo]

I met him at the preseason training and thought he and Eli would be 2 years off. They were still kids. He is amazing considering his size. He was really shy and looked like he would struggle until he got used to the whole AFL lifestyle. He is much more built and obviously has adapted to the game really quickly. He's a freak. Well done Jack.

[Devilhead]

Rest assured that Richo, Pelchen and co will no way overcook Billings this year.

They moreso than all of us will know hie true worth and potential and will tread very carefully each week.

I suppose playing in a fwd pocket/flank means he get through a bit more unscathed than say a Dunstan.

Funny thing - I can't remember seeing Billings tackled heavily or bumped hard this year? Just seems to be in the right spots at the right times and avoids the hard hits perhaps? Can anyone comment on this?

I read somewhere that he has copped a "battering"

If so then he must be mentally and physically cooked

But hold on ...... 25 possessions at 100% efficiency and 3 goals says otherwise

Hmmmm ........

[gringo]

Rest assured that Richo, Pelchen and co will no way overcook Billings this year.

They moreso than all of us will know hie true worth and potential and will tread very carefully each week.

I suppose playing in a fwd pocket/flank means he get through a bit more unscathed than say a Dunstan.

Funny thing - I can't remember seeing Billings tackled heavily or bumped hard this year? Just seems to be in the right spots at the right times and avoids the hard hits perhaps? Can anyone comment on this?

I read somewhere that he has copped a "battering"

If so then he must be mentally and physically cooked

But hold on ...... 25 possessions at 100% efficiency and 3 goals says otherwise

Maybe he was mentally cooking meth?

Hmmmm ........

[The Redeemer]

No it wasn't P66.... But anyway...

Didn't know Jack was as physically and mentally mature as Selwood... Or more importantly walking into a team which he won more than 80 of his first 100 games....

But anyway

It is not Billings fault that Joel Selwood is dumb as dogshit and he is earning as much as he can as quick as he can now

[magnifisaint]

Jack was probably only slated to play 5-8 games this year. Will need to be carefully managed so we don't kill him.

Don't get this. As long as he's not injured and is better than the 23rd player in the team then he plays. He still needs to play somewhere unless he's injured