Billings

[prwilkinson]

Plays like a stereotypical inner city school boy.

[takeaway]

All AFL players expect and have to cope with abuse from fans when things are not going well.

But going by the level and type of abuse hurled at players, especially Billings last Sat, mainly after the game, I wouldn't blame him for going to another club. He must have heard it.
The type of abuse was well below "normal abuse" and was a disgrace to the Saints supporters who were responsible. Quite a few were near me.

So if he goes to Essendon and fulfils his potential, good luck to him.

[Scollop]

All AFL players expect and have to cope with abuse from fans when things are not going well.

But going by the level and type of abuse hurled at players, especially Billings last Sat, mainly after the game, I wouldn't blame him for going to another club. He must have heard it.
The type of abuse was well below "normal abuse" and was a disgrace to the Saints supporters who were responsible. Quite a few were near me.

So if he goes to Essendon and fulfils his potential, good luck to him.

They reckon it's a superdraft coming up, so we should take a punt and trade him for a top 10 pick. Let's see if Essendon want him

[Sainter_Dad]

All AFL players expect and have to cope with abuse from fans when things are not going well.

But going by the level and type of abuse hurled at players, especially Billings last Sat, mainly after the game, I wouldn't blame him for going to another club. He must have heard it.
The type of abuse was well below "normal abuse" and was a disgrace to the Saints supporters who were responsible. Quite a few were near me.

So if he goes to Essendon and fulfils his potential, good luck to him.

They reckon it's a superdraft coming up, so we should take a punt and trade him for a top 10 pick. Let's see if Essendon want him

There is no way Essendon (especially Essendon) will part with a top 10 pick for Billings. He is worth it - but they will trade from a position of superiority.

[Saintmatt]

All AFL players expect and have to cope with abuse from fans when things are not going well.

But going by the level and type of abuse hurled at players, especially Billings last Sat, mainly after the game, I wouldn't blame him for going to another club. He must have heard it.
The type of abuse was well below "normal abuse" and was a disgrace to the Saints supporters who were responsible. Quite a few were near me.

So if he goes to Essendon and fulfils his potential, good luck to him.

They reckon it's a superdraft coming up, so we should take a punt and trade him for a top 10 pick. Let's see if Essendon want him

There is no way Essendon (especially Essendon) will part with a top 10 pick for Billings. He is worth it - but they will trade from a position of superiority.

And Essendon already has a raft of soft, small outside players. They're not the club that would be able to accommodate him.

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

[rodgerfox]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

[skeptic]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

I've never felt that Savage has really excelled in this area though.

IMO the season is already shot... why not put Billings there and force him to work on the defensive side of his game... worst case scenario this fails. What we're currently doing is already failing dismally.

[rodgerfox]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

I've never felt that Savage has really excelled in this area though.

IMO the season is already shot... why not put Billings there and force him to work on the defensive side of his game... worst case scenario this fails. What we're currently doing is already failing dismally.

Agreed. Savage is a very ordinary defender.

[CURLY]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

Grant Birchall Bachar Houli JJ all can’t defend.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

[CURLY]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

Grant Birchall Bachar Houli JJ all can’t defend.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

[CURLY]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

Grant Birchall Bachar Houli JJ all can’t defend.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

[Waltzing St Kilda]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

I've never felt that Savage has really excelled in this area though.

IMO the season is already shot... why not put Billings there and force him to work on the defensive side of his game... worst case scenario this fails. What we're currently doing is already failing dismally.

What you're suggesting is making him the new Frankie Peckett, which isn't such a bad idea.

Peckett had few defensive skills but was often alone, sweeping the backline for cheap kicks.

If Billings has decent foot skills (as long as he's not around goal) this could be the best position for him.

[Saintmatt]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

I've never felt that Savage has really excelled in this area though.

IMO the season is already shot... why not put Billings there and force him to work on the defensive side of his game... worst case scenario this fails. What we're currently doing is already failing dismally.

What you're suggesting is making him the new Frankie Peckett, which isn't such a bad idea.

Peckett had few defensive skills but was often alone, sweeping the backline for cheap kicks.

If Billings has decent foot skills (as long as he's not around goal) this could be the best position for him.

BINGO

[Scollop]

I can't believe how poorly this kid has played at times over the last 2 years, but I don't blame JB. I blame the poor game plan, poor tactics, poor team selection, poor coaching and poor use of a talented outside player.

If we did what you guys are suggesting ( play Billings in the backline) it means that we concede as a footy club that we got the draft pick wrong. We drafted JB as a goalkicking forward flanker who would eventually play more midfield as his body shape changed and as his fitness improved. We need to concede that our development of talented junior footballers is not up to the standard of the top 8 teams.

Let's not continue to just accept the decisions made by those in charge. The best thing to do is sack the head of our recruiting department and all those people involved in Billings recruitment and all the coaching staff invlolved in his footy development.

If we get our structures right off field then we might have hope that we'll improve as a team on field.

[WellardSaint]

I'd much rather Coach Beige et al move him to the half back flank where he'll see plenty of ball and let him hit targets with his field kicking (which is actually still quite good). At present - Geary is actually playing closer to half back ... imagine having someone who could distribute the ball by foot there. They could also play Brandon White off half back too as he's also an excellent kick. Not sure Coach Beige is a fan of that though.

You need to be able to defend at half back though.

Opposition will isolate him way too easily.

I've never felt that Savage has really excelled in this area though.

IMO the season is already shot... why not put Billings there and force him to work on the defensive side of his game... worst case scenario this fails. What we're currently doing is already failing dismally.

Agreed. Savage is a very ordinary defender.

I saw Savage live in Perth, and now understand what he's doing.
He wants easy kicks, so he can use his strength- long clearing kicks-
and show the coaches that he did his job.
He must think he can forget about defending because he can kick long,
and it will make up for his severe lack of defensive pressure.
He really didn't run hard enough, pick up ANY loose Freo players-
just protected a zone, but I haven't seen any blades of grass get the ball and run away with it.

[skeptic]

I can't believe how poorly this kid has played at times over the last 2 years, but I don't blame JB. I blame the poor game plan, poor tactics, poor team selection, poor coaching and poor use of a talented outside player.

If we did what you guys are suggesting ( play Billings in the backline) it means that we concede as a footy club that we got the draft pick wrong. We drafted JB as a goalkicking forward flanker who would eventually play more midfield as his body shape changed and as his fitness improved. We need to concede that our development of talented junior footballers is not up to the standard of the top 8 teams.

Let's not continue to just accept the decisions made by those in charge. The best thing to do is sack the head of our recruiting department and all those people involved in Billings recruitment and all the coaching staff invlolved in his footy development.

If we get our structures right off field then we might have hope that we'll improve as a team on field.

Well yes and no.

100% agree with you on the development.
But rather than looking at this as a concession that we drafted wrong I look at it more as a way of trying turn the kid around.
I’m not suggesting he plays as a defender forever... but for goodness sake we’re going nowhere slowly. I’d like to see the club try something to turn it all around as opposed to doing the same unsuccessful thing over and over

[saynta]

Plays like a stereotypical inner city school boy.

Just like Jordon De Goey, eh?

[prwilkinson]

Plays like a stereotypical inner city school boy.

Just like Jordon De Goey, eh?

Don't remember ever calling De Goey a stereotype. Jack Watts on the other hand...

[saynta]

Plays like a stereotypical inner city school boy.

Just like Jordon De Goey, eh?

Don't remember ever calling De Goey a stereotype. Jack Watts on the other hand...

De Goey is a St Kevins boy, which is an inner city school.

So in my mind, you did.

[parkeysainter]

Billings is still 4th at the Saints in disposals at an average of 20 per game (10th on list). Yes, he hasn't been outstanding but he hasn't been terrible either. A bit of perspective. In a better side that is winning he becomes a better player. Its just the sort of player he is and every side needs guys like that. I guarantee that when we start playing up to the standard level of a finals side again, Billings will become A grade. He also won't his peak until around the 25-27 year old mark.

[Scollop]

I can't believe how poorly this kid has played at times over the last 2 years, but I don't blame JB. I blame the poor game plan, poor tactics, poor team selection, poor coaching and poor use of a talented outside player.

If we did what you guys are suggesting ( play Billings in the backline) it means that we concede as a footy club that we got the draft pick wrong. We drafted JB as a goalkicking forward flanker who would eventually play more midfield as his body shape changed and as his fitness improved. We need to concede that our development of talented junior footballers is not up to the standard of the top 8 teams.

Let's not continue to just accept the decisions made by those in charge. The best thing to do is sack the head of our recruiting department and all those people involved in Billings recruitment and all the coaching staff invlolved in his footy development.

If we get our structures right off field then we might have hope that we'll improve as a team on field.

Well yes and no.

100% agree with you on the development.
But rather than looking at this as a concession that we drafted wrong I look at it more as a way of trying turn the kid around.
I’m not suggesting he plays as a defender forever... but for goodness sake we’re going nowhere slowly. I’d like to see the club try something to turn it all around as opposed to doing the same unsuccessful thing over and over

Maybe you're right, but we'd need either Jimmy or Shane Savage to vacate that spot wouldn't we? You can't just find a position for the sake of 1 player. I'd rather JB was dropped many weeks ago. In the short term he may play a blinder, but the kid needed a lesson in hard love and the coach needed to make a statement. The behaviours may now be ingrained

Unless you could find a way to splice Jimmy's courage in 2 and he could share some of it around