Phillipou

[D.B.Cooper]

Very good debut season from a bottom age player.
Enormous potential, could be a gun of the competition.

The question is how is he retaining his place in the team right now? He is looking ineffective and his stats show that.

The kid has worked his arse off all year and looks ready to be managed.

Am I harsh or do others think maybe Billings could be a viable alternative or another option?

[B.M]

Should not be in the side ahead of Billings
Billings is a 20ppg HF

Phillipou is a 10ppg HF

[BadRossco]

On today’s performance at Sandy Jack Hayes could be a better option to either. With Ross injured and Pou off the pace could be a chance for both Hayes and Billings against the Lions and then go from 5here

[CQ SAINT]

I dont think the styles of play are the same.

I think the selection committee base their selections on their expected outcomes.

Billings 20 ppg haven't really been much of an edge, very often.
At times, he kept us in games, but I dont recall him being a match winner.
Phillipou may well need a rest, but I'd be attempting to get as many kids blooded in finals football as possible.

[Bowey Boy]

They should play all the fringe players next week. Then they can remove themselves from selector’s minds if they don’t perform

[Otiman]

Selection this year has been about whats best for 2024 and beyond. At some point we need to get greedy and focus on the now.

Getting a final into Pou at his age would be huge for his development, but don't expect more than 5 touches and a sneak goal.

[skeptic]

Would be a real kick in the teeth to drop him now though. From memory, he’s played every game this season? Fancy being dropped just before finals. Especially after that big goal.

[desertsaint]

i'll take poo over billings thanks. especially in a final. prefer someone prepared to get hurt.

[TheGreatZacsby]

SHOULD NOT BE DROPPED. He puts more stats up than the likes of Gresham or Byrnes. Remains in the side. Get him finals experience. Develop that hunger and that experience of finals. Billings can f*** off. Wasted pick. He was lazy when I played football with him in juniors and he’s still now.

[The G Train Legacy]

I point people to the third quarter, Geelong have goaled to get within 3 goals and they're coming.

Pou gets it around the centre under a bit of duress, he pivots and gives off a smart handball. He then reads the play, as the ball is kicked inside 50 and runs hard to the right spot, when the mark spills at the contest, he's front and centre. He takes it cleanly, turns on a 5 cent piece and bang, executes a 40 metre snap, never in doubt, no movement needed from the Goal Umpire.

The kid is a gun and could win you a Final in a few minutes. He plays.

EDIT: Just watched the highlights.

Before winning the footy, leading to his goal, as I mentioned above. He impacted and aerial contest at half back, allowing Marshall to volley the ball into the centre towards Owens, he powered on and was there when Owens received it. Owens gave it to Sharman, Sharman a sloppy handball to Pou and the rest is as I described above. He impacted 2 contests, gut run 100-120 metres before roving the pack and kicking that goal. Deep in the third quarter. And some say he needs a rest!

Then he sets up the sealer early in the Final quarter, when he crumbs the pack and under pressure gets it out to Owens, who handballs to Higgins, game over.

He earns his spot.

[happy feet]

I think he should retain his spot. We have obviously made a decision to stick with the kid all year so we may as well keep going.

[B.M]

Billings is neither lazy or lacks courage


Perhaps look at a mark he took running back with the flight vs North last year.

Difference between being an outsider and being soft.

You DO NOT play 150 league games if you’re soft or lazy

[The G Train Legacy]

Billings is neither lazy or lacks courage


Perhaps look at a mark he took running back with the flight vs North last year.

Difference between being an outsider and being soft.

You DO NOT play 150 league games if you’re soft or lazy

Agree with you, I rate Billings, but he doesn't replace Phillipou.

He should and probably will come in as Sub.

I see him as a better option than Gresham as a small forward, I just think he's a better and more skilled player who knows where the goals are. Howver there's been nothing wrong with Gresham's form the last 2 weeks, so he won't be getting dropped.

[The_Dud]

Billings should definitely be in the team ahead of Gresh, Higgins and Pou.

I like Pou and he’ll be a star, but he looks tired and his return isn’t high enough at this moment.

[nostalgicsaint]

Billings is neither lazy or lacks courage


Perhaps look at a mark he took running back with the flight vs North last year.

Difference between being an outsider and being soft.

You DO NOT play 150 league games if you’re soft or lazy

100% this.

Billings busts his ass and throws his body in consistently. People seem to have it in for him because he is a highly skilled outside player but hasn't proven to be elite.

Billings is still a B grade player at worst and imo a genuine a grade player.

Problem for him is we have a lot of depth in his position(s) (HFF and Wing)

[n1ck]

The question is how is he retaining his place in the team right now? He is looking ineffective and his stats show that.

Season. Of. Exploration. Literally, right in front of our eyes.

When the heat was on the last couple of weeks it was Mitch Owens into the middle. We're seeing what these kids can do, in tough moments, results be damned.

[Laurie]

Definitely Pou ahead of Billings who has had his chances but at best a sub player and not in our best 22.
Stick with the young guns they are our future.

[Laurie]

Definitely Pou ahead of Billings who has had his chances but at best a sub player and not in our best 22.
Stick with the young guns they are our future.

[Killa]

The reputation Phillipou has, as a bottom age player in his first season, is that he is selected every week.

And, he is part of the mid-field rotations including a presence at centre bounces.

He is getting himself into position, has quick hands and a career defining break out game is very close.

Then watch this space.

We are fortunate at present in that we have the likes of Coffield, Billings, Hayes, Caminiti and Byrnes putting pressure on the Senior side.

Plus Howard to return.

Yes, some of those are too good to be playing VFL, but injuries have conspired against them and those who are occupying positions in the Senior side are performing to a level which says they can not be dropped.

Confirmation of that is that St Kilda will be playing football in September.

What a difference a win makes, hey?

[B.M]

Phillipou looks lost at CB

I’ve not yet seen him touch the footy at a centre clearance

He’s going to be a fine player

But really, if he wasn’t tagged as a high potential player and was rated on actual output- he’d be criticised

In other words
If Billings, Byrnes, Hill or Gresham were averaging 10ppg and half a goal we’d be calling for them to get dropped.

[nostalgicsaint]

Phillipou looks lost at CB

I’ve not yet seen him touch the footy at a centre clearance

He’s going to be a fine player

But really, if he wasn’t tagged as a high potential player and was rated on actual output- he’d be criticised

In other words
If Billings, Byrnes, Hill or Gresham were averaging 10ppg and half a goal we’d be calling for them to get dropped.

Agree re the comparison to the other players that said if my grandma had wheels she would have been a bike.

Reality is he is a high potential young player and the others are not- at least not to the same extent.

Fwiw I've seen some pretty clever deft touches and quick hands around the stoppages.

[Sainter_Dad]

Phillipou looks lost at CB

I’ve not yet seen him touch the footy at a centre clearance

He’s going to be a fine player

But really, if he wasn’t tagged as a high potential player and was rated on actual output- he’d be criticised

In other words
If Billings, Byrnes, Hill or Gresham were averaging 10ppg and half a goal we’d be calling for them to get dropped.

Agree re the comparison to the other players that said if my grandma had wheels she would have been a bike.

Reality is he is a high potential young player and the others are not- at least not to the same extent.

Fwiw I've seen some pretty clever deft touches and quick hands around the stoppages.

More to the point - If he was born 5 days later - HE WOULD NOT EVEN BE ON AN AFL LIST

We are lucky to have him - and to get him at pick 10.

Put him in this years draft crop and he is a standout.

He is a boy playing against men - give him a proper Pre-season as an 18 yo not a 17 yo and 4 days (at 1/1/23)

What were you guys doing at 17????

[repta]

Billings day is done.
Has good skills and balance but has incrediably slow decision making. Eg everytime he takes a mark he goes back behind the mark. Ends uo slowing the game ti a stand still.

Phillipou needs time.to develop. The week before finals will be good as he looks sore and tired. He would benfit long term from finals action.

I would give Hayes a go this week

[mad saint guy]

Pou has been carried for a good chunk of the year to fast track his development. No better time to gain experience and enhance development than September. I do think that he shouldn't be played in the midfield during a final but keep him on as a high half forward.

We'll get a lot more value in the long run out of Pou playing a final and getting 10 touches than Billings playing and getting 18

[Devilhead]

Phillipou looks lost at CB

I’ve not yet seen him touch the footy at a centre clearance

He’s going to be a fine player

But really, if he wasn’t tagged as a high potential player and was rated on actual output- he’d be criticised

In other words
If Billings, Byrnes, Hill or Gresham were averaging 10ppg and half a goal we’d be calling for them to get dropped.

Agree re the comparison to the other players that said if my grandma had wheels she would have been a bike.

Reality is he is a high potential young player and the others are not- at least not to the same extent.

Fwiw I've seen some pretty clever deft touches and quick hands around the stoppages.

More to the point - If he was born 5 days later - HE WOULD NOT EVEN BE ON AN AFL LIST

We are lucky to have him - and to get him at pick 10.

Put him in this years draft crop and he is a standout.

He is a boy playing against men - give him a proper Pre-season as an 18 yo not a 17 yo and 4 days (at 1/1/23)

What were you guys doing at 17????

He was already 18 at 1/1/23 ..... born in 2004