Billings frustrating

[Saint_Singapore]

Shows glipses of stardum but most of the time looks lazy soft and clumsy.. just dint get this guy

Is he unfit or does he use energy we don't see and exhaust himself?

[portosaint]

Let's be honest, a few players aside, the whole team has looked like this for 5 or 6 weeks.

[The_Dud]

There are a lot bigger problems than Billings

[CURLY]

Best ball user in the side gets a tag most games.

[spert]

I reckon Ratts needs to move him around the ground a bit more- but I would like Billings just to go a bit harder at the contest. We saw how Kent went in hard when the ball was in question and forced the ball out, and Billings needs a bit more of that.

[Scollop]

Shows glipses of stardum but most of the time looks lazy soft and clumsy.. just dint get this guy

Is he unfit or does he use energy we don't see and exhaust himself?

Classic ‘heard footsteps’ / avoid a contest / bruise free style of player at times

He doesn’t have a single focus on the ball. That’s why he fumbles.

What’s the solution? Get back into some sparring with Sam Soliman

[SaintPav]

Good crunch goal though when it counted.

He's getting good at those.

Class player.

[Scollop]

Good crunch goal though when it counted.

He's getting good at those.

Class player.

His set shots have improved immensely. When he has time and space, either with a set shot for goal or passing to his team mates he is elite. That’s why he was ranked as a top 5 pick in his draft year. That’s why opposition teams put so much time into him. He just needs to be cleaner with loose ground balls.

We get frustrated watching him fumble and then run around trying to frantically tackle or put pressure on to cause a turnover. Just win the footy in the first place Jack and be prepared for the bruises. You get paid to cop bruises.

It’s up to him if he wants to set himself a challenge and aim high. He is paid top dollar so please understand the club has high expectations. The reward is that he might earn himself a Trevor Barker medal or an All Australian nomination.

[Devilhead]

I reckon Ratts needs to move him around the ground a bit more- but I would like Billings just to go a bit harder at the contest. We saw how Kent went in hard when the ball was in question and forced the ball out, and Billings needs a bit more of that.

Was seen deep in the forwardline quite a bit today

[bigcarl]

Thought Billings was fine today, particularly when it was up for grabs.

I’m more worried about Clark, who I consider a big talent. He looked slow, uncertain and unhappy today. Hopefully he just had a bad one.

[Scollop]

Thought Billings was fine today, particularly when it was up for grabs.

I’m more worried about Clark, who I consider a big talent. He looked slow, uncertain and unhappy today. Hopefully he just had a bad one.

It’s pretty difficult for these young blokes. Must be getting unhappy and frustrated that the Richmond boys got caught at Showgirls. The cops and the public and AFL club officials will be on the lookout. Now no one is safe going there

[saynta]

Thought Billings was fine today, particularly when it was up for grabs.

I’m more worried about Clark, who I consider a big talent. He looked slow, uncertain and unhappy today. Hopefully he just had a bad one.

Kicked the goal of the match. He was fine AFAIC

[whiskers3614]

Shows glipses of stardum but most of the time looks lazy soft and clumsy.. just dint get this guy

Is he unfit or does he use energy we don't see and exhaust himself?

Classic ‘heard footsteps’ / avoid a contest / bruise free style of player at times

He doesn’t have a single focus on the ball. That’s why he fumbles.

What’s the solution? Get back into some sparring with Sam Soliman

Maybe spar with Hill for a confidence booster!

[Milne]

Wish he could have taken those 3-4 marks inside 50 where he had a big go at it.

Just lacking a bit of confidence atm.

[shanegrambeau]

Wish he could have taken those 3-4 marks inside 50 where he had a big go at it.

Just lacking a bit of confidence atm.

Bing!
Plus one!!

That’s it. Mark those and he would have had a Milnesque Match.

[bangaulegend]

There are a lot bigger problems than Billings

Yeah I agree way bigger issues than Jack ATM

[Saint_Singapore]

I know theres bigger issues and hes a good player.

Just feel like he has alot more to give and we arent seeing that. Other out there are already playing to their ability.. Billings isnt.

I call him out for a big next game please!

[spiral3]

a bit sick of people calling Billings soft, he's not a naturally physical player like Jones or Steele but his contest work has improved significantly in the last couple of years. He won't ever be as good as others but he is not soft. Takes his turn and does lay some decent tackles now. I used to watch him live at Marvel and as soon as he hit a contest he would instinctively lose his feet and try to shovel the ball out. He's cut that out of his game largely, a big improvement.
His finishing has improved but I'm frustrated by some of his field kicking, wastes it at times when he has time and space. Like to see some improvement in his marking, he was considered a good mark for his size when recruited but, like King, rarely hangs on to them when he has hands on the ball. King will resolve this, not sure if Billings can but I hope he does.

[Secret Kiel]

I think it's a case of lowering expectations. He's best 22, he's just not going to be in the conversation when discussing other pick 3s and will settle in quality somewhere between an A and B grader. But that's ok, you need a few of those types in your team.

The frustrating part is he's not going to be one of those home grown players we desperately need to step up to consistent A grade and thus reduce our reliance on having to go to market at this years trade period to bring in said A grader which is going to be near impossible in the COVID economy.

[Saintmatt]

I think it's a case of lowering expectations. He's best 22, he's just not going to be in the conversation when discussing other pick 3s and will settle in quality somewhere between an A and B grader. But that's ok, you need a few of those types in your team.

The frustrating part is he's not going to be one of those home grown players we desperately need to step up to consistent A grade and thus reduce our reliance on having to go to market at this years trade period to bring in said A grader which is going to be near impossible in the COVID economy.

Yep - a fair bit of that I think. I often wonder what ppl would think of Jack if he hadn't have been taken before Bont. I mean - that 2013 draft was horrible. Top 10 is a bust except for Kelly, Billings and Bont - most of the good players came after Cripps at 13 and even then - there's not a lot of super high-end quality.

I think Jack is one of those players who gets better with better players around him. I think the addition of Hill and Jones this year has already made Jack a better, more effective version of himself that the 2019 version.

My main desire for wanting to make finals is that it franks our level of improvement and strengthens our chances of proving us to be a destination club and hence, attracting a RFA/FA

[Secret Kiel]

I think Jack is one of those players who gets better with better players around him.

100% agree, however it is why this season has seen Jack attract the down hill skier tag when those other quality players aren't in the side. It also highlights his inability to be the onfield leader type we've been short of since first publicly acknowledged by Lethers back in 2018. And that's ok, the team is filling and hopefully continues to fill with quality AROUND him so he has a place in the side.

I'm relaxed on it though becuse I think we'll get a better measure at why Jack has frustrated this season when full strength comp returns and our midfield has a full compliment of said quality players.

[saynta]

Kicked a miraculous goal.

[ace]

There are a lot bigger problems than Billings

But you keep defending that bigger problem.

[Impatient Sainter]

Billings has covered huge ground this year and has been playing fatigued, hence Ratts playing him forward. He will bounce back and hopefully this week. I just wish he would try and take his over head marks in his hands than attempt to chest mark every attempt.

[johnearljames]

Still in best 5 players. First picked on wing alongside Hill every week. B+ grade player. A grade when playing well.

The kid is tired. Give him a break.