and Tim Smith. Good result - don't think we have seen the best of Billy yet

Glad to hear this.

He started the season really well and I was disappointed that his form dropped off a little. At his age he's probably still building the tank and strength he needs to compete at the top level for an entire season, but I think he'll be an important player in the future.

Good stuff.

He's lost his way a bit recently but it's easy to forget that he's still only 20. It's not unusual for players so young to have fluctuating form. His form early in the year was good, hopefully he can recapture that.

From what we have seen so far, he looks like a 200 game player. Great to see him signing on. There is a huge upside to Billy, and I see him developing into a line breaking player who delivers to our forwards with classy kicking. 

Awesome news!! Well done lads 

Good news. Great clubs understand that development is not a straight trend upward. I have been disappointed with Billy's output this year but it has mainly been curtailed by the coaches pushing him to becoming more attacking with his disposal and working on his inside game. This will make him a better player in the end but has likely halted his game this year. Great to see us validate his work with 2 more years.

Really happy for Billy, he's not in the side for output, yet this is vindication for him. 20 years of age, and we can expect fluctuating form at times... mind, some of us think thats a delisting opportunity.

 

AVB, ANB (and hopefully Trengove) only key players remaining to sign?

More great news, congrats Billy. Keep it coming Dee"s.

Great news.  Billy is the outside running mid that we need.  Billy needs confidence and the ability to kick goals. Huge upside still. 

5 hours ago, chook fowler said:

and Tim Smith. Good result - don't think we have seen the best of Billy yet

You'd hope so.

 

Progression - slow

No idea about ball security.

 

At the minute will surprise if he plays 100 games.

At the risk of sounding unpopular, I think Billy has probably taken a slight step back this season. 

I'm glad he has been extended because I think he can develop into a good player for the club.

Congratulations Billy and Tim!

14 hours ago, DemonAndrew said:

AVB, ANB (and hopefully Trengove) only key players remaining to sign?

Struggle to see how AVB is a key signing.

1 hour ago, Adzman said:

At the risk of sounding unpopular, I think Billy has probably taken a slight step back this season. 

I'm glad he has been extended because I think he can develop into a good player for the club.

Congratulations Billy and Tim!

I think it's called "development", Adz.  Something we haven't seen, to the appropriate standard, for the best part of a decade (prior to Roos/Macca).

I think Billy was possibly given senior games because he is the ultimate professional with a great attitude/work ethic.  He was also playing in a position that we were desperate to fill, and he fitted it best.  Now that we have a bit of depth, he can now go back and work on things at the easier level, which won't take him long for it to be engrained in him, especially with his renowned professionalism on and off the track.  That said, even if it takes him a big chunk of games in the VFL, we know he'll come back a better player for it.  Similar to Hunt's development.

Big future, Billy.  Not necessarily going to be on the A-list, but he'll be a reliable B-grader with moments of brilliance.

2 minutes ago, The Chazz said:

Struggle to see how AVB is a key signing.

I think it's called "development", Adz.  Something we haven't seen, to the appropriate standard, for the best part of a decade (prior to Roos/Macca).

I think Billy was possibly given senior games because he is the ultimate professional with a great attitude/work ethic.  He was also playing in a position that we were desperate to fill, and he fitted it best.  Now that we have a bit of depth, he can now go back and work on things at the easier level, which won't take him long for it to be engrained in him, especially with his renowned professionalism on and off the track.  That said, even if it takes him a big chunk of games in the VFL, we know he'll come back a better player for it.  Similar to Hunt's development.

Big future, Billy.  Not necessarily going to be on the A-list, but he'll be a reliable B-grader with moments of brilliance.

Still hold hope of him becoming an A grader. He's only 20 and is a great kick and is very balanced. I'm sure he is highly rated internally. Thank God  we don't rush players development now and given that the coaching at Casey is now on the same page as the seniors I don't see the problem with him spending time in the bacon and roll roll capital of the world to gain confidence etc.