After several injury-interrupted summers, emerging wingman Jack Billings has put together his most complete pre-season yet and is poised to strike in 2017.
Billings, 21, has played 42 games across his first three seasons at Linen House Centre, and after putting the shin issues that derailed his second year firmly in the rear vision mirror, the former No. 3 pick is determined to spend more time in the midfield this year.
In St Kilda’s second outing of the JLT Community Series on Saturday afternoon, Billings was the most prolific player on Ikon Park, finishing with 30 possessions and eight score involvements to be one of the best players in the Saints’ 92-point win.
“It’s (pre-season) been really good, I’ve just tried to keep improving. I’ve tried to attack and dominate every session,” Billings told saints.com.au after Saturday’s big win at the Blues headquarters.
“I’m going to keep trying to progress forward and build some momentum into the season and I think collectively we’ve had a really good summer; I think everyone is feeling pretty good at the moment.
Monday Wash-Up: JLT 2 v Carlton
“Obviously ‘Rooey’ [Nick Riewoldt] wasn’t out there so I was able to spend pretty much the whole game in the midfield which was good. I think it will still be a bit of both but a lot more midfield time. I’m looking forward to being a key contributor each week in the midfield.”
After the club's second win of the pre-season, Billings revealed the Saints' coach for the day, Assistant Coach Aaron Hamill, was thrilled with the side’s pressure against the Blues, with St Kilda registering a high pressure factor of 1.907.
“He was pretty positive, obviously we were able to execute offensively, defensively and around the contest. I think we were +20 in contested possessions and tackles, so it was a really positive performance so he was pretty happy,” Billings said.
“It’s something we pride ourselves on and we know if our pressure is up there it’s going to give us a good chance to get the ball back and hurt the opposition. It was good that it was really high today, hopefully we can continue that into Round 1.
Billings praised the performance of big-bodied midfield recruit Jack Steele after the Giants academy graduate put his hand up for a Round 1 berth by amassing 25 disposals, including a game-high 13 contested possessions, as well as eight tackles against the Blues.
“He was awesome today. He’s a big inside midfielder, (he's) tough and (he) wins the footy. Already he’s a pretty driven kid and already he’s trusted amongst the group. He’s going about it the right way, but I’m really excited for him this season,” he said.
St Kilda will complete their preparations ahead of Round 1 when they face Sydney in Lavington in the final game of the JLT Community Series.
