Welcome to Demonland: Jack Billings

[Dee*ceiving 908]

Thanks for your take Mo but 0.7 goals per game, eg. 1 goal in 7 games out of 10 makes it close to a goal a game in my mind. 

If you don't agree that's ok with me. Thanks for sharing your mathematical philosohies and I am glad I made you laugh. 

Best. 

[Fat Tony 4,408]

Chocko will straighten him out 😉

[MoonBoot 31]

I don't mind billings. I think it would be a good fit. Half forward role allowing Sparrow more midfield minutes. Or chuck him on the wing or HB.

[BW511 2,243]

At the very least, he offers something a little different

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,154]

Billings reminds me of Jack Watts - talent to burn, smooth mover but sometimes lacking in intensity.

If he comes cheap then I’d take him.  He has many of the attributes that our list is lacking.

 

[Demonland 64,941]

 

[spirit of norm smith 12,917]

Not sure we need him. Too many small forwards already and he’s not in our midfield needs. Lots of wing types with Lingers, Hunter, Woey jnr and Howes already.  Plus look at add two young classy mids in Mckercher/Sanders and Wilson/Windsor.  Billings likely consume salary cap $$$s. Best offer is a future 4th rounder and Saints min 1/3rd of his wage for next 2 years on contract.  BTW I remain in the “no” vote for Billings. 
 

[Redleg 37,602]

7 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Not sure we need him. Too many small forwards already and he’s not in our midfield needs. Lots of wing types with Lingers, Hunter, Woey jnr and Howes already.  Plus look at add two young classy mids in Mckercher/Sanders and Wilson/Windsor.  Billings likely consume salary cap $$$s. Best offer is a future 4th rounder and Saints min 1/3rd of his wage for next 2 years on contract.  BTW I remain in the “no” vote for Billings. 
 

Not sure we even have a list spot and I would agree a no from me. I would rather give more game time to Woey and try Howes and even AMW.

[RedBlueandTrue 217]

21 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Billings reminds me of Jack Watts - talent to burn, smooth mover but sometimes lacking in intensity.

If he comes cheap then I’d take him.  He has many of the attributes that our list is lacking.

 

When he finally did move, it really looked for a very short period like Wattsy could've finally put it all together at Port before injuries struck. 

Would love to draft an 18 year old Jack Watts (or Jack Billings for that matter) into our current development set up.

[Red But Mostly Blue 3,674]

It's probably already been posted, but this is a good article on Jack - why he hasn't been chased harder during the trade period, and also does a deep drive into his performance to date.

https://www.zerohanger.com/why-arent-clubs-chasing-jack-billings-stkilda-saints-afl-trade-period-144137/

In the article, it's mentioned that he's clearly talented, but seems to have regressed and has definitely failed to live up to the hype.  Lots of the chat here reminded me of one of our most famous 'never-met-potential' Jacks. 

BUT - it is also mentioned that he has been a little unlucky with injuries, 3 coaches and a lack of certainty about club direction, where he plays. So he would benefit from clearer positioning/role and some luck with injuries etc.

He's on approx $500k, contracted for the next 2 years.

I guess the question is do we need another small/medium half forward??? Who goes out? 

[seventyfour 340]

I have been very open for years about not rating Billings at all. Has all the skills but is too inconsistent.

However, he provides the depth we sorely need after the departures of Harmes, Dunstan and Jordon.

Would be OK trading our future third. We need to keep pick 41.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,197]

I know this occurred back in 2017 but how many other current players aside from Billings have joined the 30 + possession/ 5 goal club in a game? He also scored 162 dream team points which is absurd.

I'm not advocating that he joins us on the back of one game 6 years ago against a poor Carlton, but it speaks volumes of the talent that is there.

If we get him, hopefully he'll provide a solid Lachie Hunter style 20+ games. We couldn't realistically ask for more.

  

[picket fence 15,167]

13 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

It's probably already been posted, but this is a good article on Jack - why he hasn't been chased harder during the trade period, and also does a deep drive into his performance to date.

https://www.zerohanger.com/why-arent-clubs-chasing-jack-billings-stkilda-saints-afl-trade-period-144137/

In the article, it's mentioned that he's clearly talented, but seems to have regressed and has definitely failed to live up to the hype.  Lots of the chat here reminded me of one of our most famous 'never-met-potential' Jacks. 

BUT - it is also mentioned that he has been a little unlucky with injuries, 3 coaches and a lack of certainty about club direction, where he plays. So he would benefit from clearer positioning/role and some luck with injuries etc.

He's on approx $500k, contracted for the next 2 years.

I guess the question is do we need another small/medium half forward??? Who goes out? 

Chandler, plus the other player I'm loathe to mention coz everyone will come after me!

[hemingway 7,589]

5 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I know this occurred back in 2017 but how many other current players aside from Billings have joined the 30 + possession/ 5 goal club in a game? He also scored 162 dream team points which is absurd.

I'm not advocating that he joins us on the back of one game 6 years ago against a poor Carlton, but it speaks volumes of the talent that is there.

If we get him, hopefully he'll provide a solid Lachie Hunter style 20+ games. We couldn't realistically ask for more.

  

Fair enough but we need competitive beasts. I’ve spent 50 years of my footy Demon viewing past watching Melbourne footballers with talent. Jack Watts was just another one although the unfair weight of expectation on his thin shoulders did not help. We need elite players that have pace, skills and tackle like there are no tomorrows. Just use Collingwood as the template.

[seventyfour 340]

Colin Sylvia had 37 and 4 in a game once...

Billings has only kicked more than two goals in a game four times. If he plays for us, he's a midfielder, not a forward.

[Sydee 3,617]

59 minutes ago, BW511 said:

At the very least, he offers something a little different

So would I but I'm 100% sure I wouldn't get a kick and would be subbed off before quarter time due to lack of fitness 

[spirit of norm smith 12,917]

@Bring-Back-Powell

That was 2017. He was at his peak back then. He has declined ever since.  Last 2 years particularly disappointing and below average.  Injuries? Lack of opportunities? 

[inanunda 313]

If the Saints pay 50% of the salary then it is a no brainer.  A seasoned player who needs a fresh start could be the new Blake Acres (not playing wise but draft steal) and in a winning environment.  

[sisso 2,388]

Prob worth a punt considering we've lost a lot more experience this trade period than we've bought in...we've traded/retired Casey's entire midfield in Grundy, Harmes, Dunstan and Jordon

At his best he would be useful, depth at least

[DeeSpencer 23,134]

Starting to come round to the idea purely because it would be nice to have a ready to go option when Hunter  hasn’t hit a target in a month. 

 

[fr_ap 2,148]

I'm a Yes because I've been vocal on our need for depth with AFL experience. I think he'd provide good cover around the midfield, wings or half forward. Similiar to the Hunter pickup but probably with more upside/time on his hands? 

[In Gawn we Trust 83]

I think if the price is right, definitely worth a punt.

Blokes like Langdon and Hunter etc need to have more pressure on them to perform, and if that’s solely what Billings provides then its a positive.

Edited October 17, 2023 by In Gawn we Trust

[demoniac 1,243]

Moneyball option as depth. Has skill but has struggled to get on park and probably down on confidence.

If reports are true that he has 2 years left on 500K a year and Saints are willing to cover part of contract then he could be a low cost depth option as mid/half forward type.  

[Half forward flank 1,022]

26 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

Colin Sylvia had 37 and 4 in a game once...

Billings has only kicked more than two goals in a game four times. If he plays for us, he's a midfielder, not a forward.

Colin was a rare talent.

[binman 38,109]

1 hour ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Billings reminds me of Jack Watts - talent to burn, smooth mover but sometimes lacking in intensity.

If he comes cheap then I’d take him.  He has many of the attributes that our list is lacking.

 

There would be a certain level of irony in trading in a player with similar attributes to Wattsy.