Billings.

[felix]

What did people think of his game last night. Only watched it on TV but he didn't seem to get into the game much , was well off afl pace.?

[BackFromUSA]

Down in confidence with ball in hand. Doesn't want the ball either IMHO.

[felix]

Lower leg heavily bandaged looking at the pics posted ..calf maybe or shin soreness again?

[one point]

Has no power in his kicking. Seems to be carrying a leg injury at the moment

[carn_sainter]

Definitely a confidence thing. The way his head dropped when he missed that running shot in the last wasn't good to see. As BackfromUSA said, he doesn't want the ball in his hand as much as he should. Hopefully he plays next week and the boys make sure he gets a few touches early...been a while since he played particularly well so he just needs a reminder that he can do it.

[kosifantutti]

55m out charging towards goal last night and he tried a little dinky pass that was cut off.

Last week he could have had a set shot from 45 but passed to DMac who was in no better position.

[Vazelos]

Struggling, just doing enough to stay in the team. We all know there is plenty of upside at the moment he is not giving us enough and his reputation as an a elite ball winner and finisher is more hype than reality at present.

[whiskers3614]

Has no power in his kicking. Seems to be carrying a leg injury at the moment

Would be strange if we were playing a bloke who CURRENTLY is barely best 22 when not 100%.

[Winmar]

Seeing Bontempelli doing so well perhaps didn't help his confidence either

[Bluthy]

The positive thing is we all feel he is playing a bit average at the moment and yet he is effortlessly chalking up around 20 game possessions pretty much playing as winger. Imagine when he hits a top gear. 37 games so again probably needs to hit that 50 game mark before he will really feel like he belongs out there and starts to be more composed. I've still got huge faith in Jack. When he finds his range and confidence he'll be a huge creative weapon for us which we badly need.

He has the potential to play a lot of roles - goal scoring forward, long kicking winger, play maker from the back, and also on ball. That is great flexibility for the coaches to have. No buyers remorse from me.

[Winmar]

Yeah if he becomes the type of player we hope he will, he'll be a gun. He's played 17 (?) fewer games than Bont, largely due to injury, so it's perhaps not surprising that he's not performing at the same level at this stage of his career. Fast forward a season and I hope we're creating more positive threads about him.

[sainters85]

will eventually be a pretty good player. Has a nice kick but thats about it. Wish we'd picked bontempelli instead though

[BigMart]

He was very average and butchered the ball

He lacks fitness and leg speed

[Impatient Sainter]

Bontempelli is scary nearly won the game for them. Makes me so angry when we could of have had him? People keep saying give Billings time but he will never be as good as Bont...he would be the perfect fit for our midfield. I know people dont like hearing it, but Trout got this selection WRONG! I just cant see why they rated Billings so highly TBH, it would be like taking Ainsworth in this years draft at #3.

[SaintPav]

Did your wife tell you to write that?

[Bluthy]

Lower leg heavily bandaged looking at the pics posted ..calf maybe or shin soreness again?

you have to wonder don't you - it would certainly affect his kicking too - he seems hesitant to really kick it through it at the moment. That shin soreness has dogged him from his junior days hasn't it? I hope they can resolve it.

[SuperSaint]

Billings' body has certainly been struggling a bit and that's the greatest concern with him. On the other hand, you see Bont and he has that natural, genetically stronger body. Funny thing is when you watched the highlights of both in the 2013 draft, Bont did look the better prospect overall from both an ability and physical level. We needed a midfielder badly but if you were to pick on the next best player available it should have been Bontempelli. Ironically, Bont can play anywhere, he is a gun and is going to win many games off his own boot. He would have been icing on the cake at our club now.

[WellardSaint]

however, in one of his last game with the Zebs before being recalled, he got about 37 touches didn't he?
And one poster who said he had a convo with Coburg's ruckman, said that JB was basically taking the piss with them, as in he was obviously far far above VFL level.
The coaches have lots of interaction with him, they will steer him through any troubled waters, hopefully

[saynta]

Bontempelli is scary nearly won the game for them. Makes me so angry when we could of have had him? People keep saying give Billings time but he will never be as good as Bont...he would be the perfect fit for our midfield. I know people dont like hearing it, but Trout got this selection WRONG! I just cant see why they rated Billings so highly TBH, it would be like taking Ainsworth in this years draft at #3.

Too early to call imho.

[Newman]

When was the last time he kicked a goal? This year he's kicked 3 goals 10 behinds. He kicked 3 behinds last week.

[lintonstreet]

Clearly struggling this year BUT he won a terrific hard ball on the Medallion side wing that proved I was wrong about his willingness to go when it was his turn.

[Con Gorozidis]

When was the last time he kicked a goal? This year he's kicked 3 goals 10 behinds. He kicked 3 behinds last week.

3.11 this year.

24.32 for his career so far.

Having a shocker of a year. Trying hard just down on confidence and timing atm.

3 goals from 12 games for a fwd is not awesome.

[thejiggingsaint]

Give the kid a chance! Jeez! We get one of the best wins of the year and some are STILL prepared to whinge about us not having Bontempelli

[goods]

Scarey to think if we had petracca, Marcus Bontempelli and Carlisle in this team now.... with roo still playing... 2016 would almost be a chance.

2018 when/if Nathan Freeman get to his best, Paddy is fit and has two preseasons under his belt, Jake Carlisle, Billings, we will be without Roo but a very very good team.

[Sainter_Dad]

we will be without Roo.

Don't bank on this - Very very quiet whispers say that he may still be donning the tri colour in 2018!!!!