St Kilda wingman Jack Billings admits his time out of Alan Richardson’s side wasn’t easy, but after forcing his way back into the fold he was thrilled to play his role in the 36-point win on Sunday.

Billings, 20, returned with aplomb, taking a strong contested mark inside the first minute before flaunting his elite poise and polish in the first half.

He did slow after the main break, as his time out caught up with him somewhat, but he finished with 18 possessions, 14 pressure acts, six marks (three inside 50) and three behinds, which could have enhanced his day.

“It was all a bit strange I guess; it’s never easy when you’re not playing and the sides going alright,” Billings told saints.com.au after St Kilda’s eighth win of the season on Sunday afternoon.

“So I just had to work hard and do everything I could. While I didn’t play I was still able to do a fair bit of conditioning, so it was positive in that sense. Today I was confident and ready to go.

Sign up and belong in 2016 - Get your 3-game membership here 

“It was great to be back, I enjoyed it out there. I got a bit tired out there towards the end, but I think that was always going to happen. I was just happy to play my role today and get the win with all the boys.”

The injection of Billings and fellow Scotch College product, Jack Sinclair, back into the line-up, helped improve St Kilda’s ball fluency on transition, with the Saints producing some of their best football of the season.

“That was a focus, last week we turned the ball over a few times,” Billings said.

“It was obviously good signs that we were able to clean that up a little bit tonight. We’ve still obviously got some stuff to work on, but it was obviously a positive.”

After missing the entire back half og 2015 due to a shin injury, Billings has at least six games ahead of him to build some momentum into the 2017 pre-season and beyond.

Limited Edition History Book: Celebrating 50 Years 1966-2016 The Archives Edition