1 hour ago, hemingway said:

Fair enough but we need competitive beasts. 

We don't lack competetive beasts

39 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

He's a great field kick but gets the yips with set shots, similar to Trac in some ways. His field kicking is his biggest strength, so he ticks a box for us in that regard. He's the type of player you want delivering the kick inside 50. His weakness is consistency, and it appears confidence based. He was legitimately good under his first coach, then struggled once Ratten came across. Never had a clean run at it under Lyon. Get him into a new environment, get him fit, and he may flourish.

He had some really good seasons with his 2017-2019 run being the highlight. His 2019 was A grade stuff, averaged 26 disposals and kicked 13 goals. Had a few monster games where he looked set to be a star of the competition. His 33 disposal, 11 tackle, 2 goal, 12 score assists game was a monster.

Not sure what happened the past few years, sounds like injury played a part in his form drop off. If we could get him cheap, he'd be a great pickup. He'd aid kicking skill to our midfield/half forward rotation and give us more depth to counter what was lost with Harmes and Jordon.

and that coach was??

8 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

700 a year is reported at least 650.

there is word that Saints are willing to pay some as long as they get a better draft pick in return

The Zero Hangar article linked a few times here suggests $500k. Which is not too bad, and likely reflects form. If they took something off that, may make it more interesting. 

5 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

The Zero Hangar article linked a few times here suggests $500k. Which is not too bad, and likely reflects form. If they took something off that, may make it more interesting. 

yeh a lot saying different numbers, this week on trade radio most have been saying round that 600k mark, which if we end up paying around the 500k mark for him id be fine with that.  500k is the new 350k

Just now, Travy14 said:

yeh a lot saying different numbers, this week on trade radio most have been saying round that 600k mark, which if we end up paying around the 500k mark for him id be fine with that.  500k is the new 350k

Very true, it's actually kind of 'reasonable' (noting the alarm in paying half a mil per year to someone who has been patchy for the last 5+ years). But if it were to come to pass, I would trust the FD that they think he has a home, and can bring him back to potential or very close to it. 

16 minutes ago, BangBnagBang said:

and that coach was??

I believe it was Alan Richardson?

Edited October 18, 20231 yr by durango

29 minutes ago, Webber said:

I reckon Billings is one of those players, like Colin Sylvia, like Jack Watts, who has ALL the abilities required for A grade footy, except one thing - pure, CONSISTENT competitive will. It’s the most important quality in any player (Jason Taylor recruits based on it), which if married with top 10 percentile skill, creates a champion (luck with injuries notwithstanding). 

Yes very true.

Taylor and goody sing from the same hymn book in that regard - ie prioritising competitive will over all else.

And for good reason given the intensity of AFL footy now. The contest has always been critical but it's next level now. No room anymore for pure 'outside' players. 

I was against trading Watts, but it was the right call (pro dee/gator says hi) - leaving aside any cultural concerns, goody could see where the game was heading.

Ten years ago you could perhaps carry one or two players like Jack who have elite kicking skills but picked and choose when to go. Not anymore.

(I'll concede I was wrong on Watts. But I'm sticking to my opinion we should have pulled the trigger on Josh Kelly, even with salo playing an important role in our Premiership).

One thing I'll give the pies alot of credit for is their most skilled players are still hard at it and are competitors.

The daicos brothers, pendles, Sidebottom and mcreery are all brilliant kicks. But all are also competitors and don't shirk the contest.

Mcvee has the same qualities and will be a critical player for us in the next few years (which is crazy to think given he was a smokey to even be selected at the start of the season).

Edited October 18, 20231 yr by binman

24 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

700 a year is reported at least 650.

there is word that Saints are willing to pay some as long as they get a better draft pick in return

Reports seem to vary between 500K and 700K. If we get him for a circa 350K cap hit (which clears 150-300k for Saints) then he is a low cap/draft assets moneyball depth option. His best is good but can he be injury free and rebuild his confidence to get near his best? 

 

Lamb last minute deals are my favourite. Like a kebab after a big night out, will you regret it, or will it cure your hangover? 

After all the departures, retirements, trade ins & rookie upgrades, didn't that just leave us with 2 free spots on the list?

Meaning if we get Billings, it'd now just be 1 ?

Just now, JTR said:

After all the departures, retirements, trade ins & rookie upgrades, didn't that just leave us with 2 free spots on the list?

Meaning if we get Billings, it'd now just be 1 ?

OUT: Hibberd, Dunstan, Jordon, Harmes, Grundy, Smith (Rookie)

IN: Fullarton, McAdam

Draft picks currently: x 3 (One could be used to upgrade McVee)

So we have 3 senior spots left

1 minute ago, Heart Beats True said:

 

Well, we do need people who can do that. If we can get this guy back to something close to his best on the cheap.

Win. 

If not, he's good value depth for Casey, to replace losses there. 

But I would rather him close to best in the 1s, as we sorely need those skills, particularly going forward.

Are we any chance of getting into bed with them regarding a pick swap with them? 

We could pursue their pick 13 in exchance for a future 1st plus something else if we take on Billings' cash?

That would leave us with picks 6,11 and 13 if Lamby could twinkle his wand of magic.

Edited October 18, 20231 yr by YesitwasaWin4theAges

18 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

yeh a lot saying different numbers, this week on trade radio most have been saying round that 600k mark, which if we end up paying around the 500k mark for him id be fine with that.  500k is the new 350k

I think Billings in, Harmes out has the potential to be a pretty good result for us.

16 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Very true, it's actually kind of 'reasonable' (noting the alarm in paying half a mil per year to someone who has been patchy for the last 5+ years). But if it were to come to pass, I would trust the FD that they think he has a home, and can bring him back to potential or very close to it. 

can also look at it in salary terms as Harmes out Billings in

 

If this goes through I am assuming he is injury free and ready to do a full preseason.

Edited October 18, 20231 yr by djr

 

Billings is a Dee!

5 minutes ago, Heart Beats True said:

 

The 'can kick the ball inside 50' line made me laugh.

Summed up our key issue in six words - as opposed to my six thousand words making the same point.

Not to self - sometimes less is more (and certainly less time consuming!).

1 minute ago, Dannyz said:

Billings is a Dee!

Never rated him.

Do now.

4 minutes ago, djr said:

If this goes through I am assuming he is injury free and reading to do a full preseason.

We should send him to the Richmond doctor just to make sure.

#2014Throwback

Was higher in the draft than Bont and way higher than  Cripps.

OK,   im sold. Sign him.

Desperate times. We need anyone that knows how to kick inside 50m......allegedly.

Edited October 18, 20231 yr by Deebauched

3 minutes ago, binman said:

Never rated him.

Do now.

Late night kebab strikes again