Jack Billings...An Interesting Selection

[Cairnsman]

I have to be honest I was surprised to see Jack listed on the team sheet.

I know we are a little light on for soldiers but I would have thought that Jack would have served a longer apprenticeship. At the very least I would have thought he'd be given some conditioning games at Sandringham especially considering his recent history of injuries.

I wonder if the fact we are playing a very young and inexperienced side in Melbourne had something to do with decision making. Maybe the coaches could be thinking its the perfect opportunity to give him a taste for AFL in the first couple of rounds and also see how he goes and then put him back to Sandringham for a bit if all goes well.

Anyway in any case he's been selected so I hope he has a successful debut and enjoys himself along the way, if I was dreaming about how his first games plays out it would include him getting 25 plus quality possessions and laying an early claim on the Rising Star. NO PRESSURE THOUGH!

[Johnny Member]

One thing I've noticed over the past few years is that when we have young blokes come into the side, they get a shot at goal and miss.

Sometimes, miss badly.


I know it's going off early, but to me it's a small sign that they may not be as mentally tough as is required in AFL to be a genuine star.


Physically they're clearly not quite ready, but that's Ok. But when you get a hot at goal, 30-40m out, no real angle or pressure - no matter how old you are or inexperienced you are, as a footballer you should slot it.

That's what I'd like to see from Jack. Some poise. Some maturity above the shoulders in circumstances where age is no excuse.

[FQF]

Ok, but I hope you don't write him off if he misses.

[Con Gorozidis]

Probably not ideal but we are extremely light on for soldiers.
The pre season form of some of the fringe players just hasn't been good enough.

On a general note its funny how things turn out. Eli would have been gutted when he missed the draft while glory was heaped on Boyd and Kelly. As it turns out Eli will play sr AFl footy before the top 2 picks.

You just never really know how it will work out.

Anyway - Jacks in for his first game . No expectations . Ill be happy if he gets involved in a few passages of play.

[bergholt]

Physically they're clearly not quite ready, but that's Ok. But when you get a hot at goal, 30-40m out, no real angle or pressure - no matter how old you are or inexperienced you are, as a footballer you should slot it.

That's what I'd like to see from Jack. Some poise. Some maturity above the shoulders in circumstances where age is no excuse.

I disagree that age is no excuse. If you've just been going at full AFL pace for a quarter or two then you're probably breathing harder than you ever have in your footy career. It takes a pretty good physiology to be able to calm your body down and actually control your kicking action. But I agree there's a big mental aspect as well.

[saintspremiers]

How does Stanley get a game in front of Longer or Lee?

That's even more bizarre.

Billings is being played in part for marketing reasons as he's our top draft pick.....and heaps of injuries plays a huge part also!

[FQF]

How does Stanley get a game in front of Longer or Lee?

That's even more bizarre.

Longer is not (yet) a competent forward and Lee will never be a ruck.

Longer is also apparently slightly injured.

[dragit]

How does Stanley get a game in front of Longer or Lee?

That's even more bizarre.

Are you a bit slow? This ones already been answered...

Both longer & Lee have been injured and Lee is underdone... This is beside the fact that Lee can't ruck & longer isn't a forward yet.

Cairnsman I dont think we have anyone left who should play in front of billings? Ross has been pretty awful... There's only a few fit guys left...

Doesn't look good for the hyphen if he can't break into the side this week?

[Johnny Member]

Ok, but I hope you don't write him off if he misses.

Wouldn't write him off, but I'd have concerns tucked away in the back of my mind.

[FQF]

How does Stanley get a game in front of Longer or Lee?

That's even more bizarre.

Are you a bit slow? This ones already been answered...

Both longer & Lee have been injured and Lee is underdone... This is beside the fact that Lee can't ruck & longer isn't a forward yet.

Cairnsman I dont think we have anyone left who should play in front of billings? Ross has been pretty awful... There's only a few fit guys left...

Doesn't look good for the hyphen if he can't break into the side this week?

I suppose Dunnell could have played ahead of Billings

[dragit]

True on Dunell… though he doesn't seem to be knocking the door down either.

Like TDL, if he can't get a game at the moment, Dunell is in trouble.

[HitTheBoundary]

I'm presuming Billings will be the sub (as he's supposedly lacking match fitness) and will come on some time in the third quarter when the game pace has slowed a bit. Good luck to him and all the first gamers.

[Dr Spaceman]

Doesn't look good for the hyphen if he can't break into the side this week?

Hey dragit, at least give the young lad a chance to learn the game!

[Junior]

Anyone who saw Billings play against Frankston last week will know why he got picked he was a class above everyone else on the ground.

No doubt if he went back last week and did not get a kick then he would not have got a game his week.

Longer suffered blurred vision lat week was fit and available to play I believe.

[GrumpyOne]

We are going to win bugger-all games this year, might as well get some experience into the young fella. By the end of the 2015 season he will be an absolute gun with 20-30 games experience under his belt.

[FQF]

We are going to win bugger-all games this year, might as well get some experience into the young fella. By the end of the 2015 season he will be an absolute gun with 20-30 games experience under his belt.

My emotions can't keep up with your seamless transition from pessimism to optimism.

[Beno88]

One thing I've noticed over the past few years is that when we have young blokes come into the side, they get a shot at goal and miss.

Sometimes, miss badly.


I know it's going off early, but to me it's a small sign that they may not be as mentally tough as is required in AFL to be a genuine star.


Physically they're clearly not quite ready, but that's Ok. But when you get a hot at goal, 30-40m out, no real angle or pressure - no matter how old you are or inexperienced you are, as a footballer you should slot it.

That's what I'd like to see from Jack. Some poise. Some maturity above the shoulders in circumstances where age is no excuse.

I know you said over the past few years, but...

Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna's first shots at goal missed.

Brett Moyle, Allan Murray and Daniel Wulf slotted their first shots.

[Bardon Saint]

Conditioned via part games for saints in pre-season and by all reports a star last week in a game against Frankston. It's probably enough to get picked. In saying that, I'd say baring injuries that probably he and Eli will share the vest.

[Cairnsman]

We are going to win bugger-all games this year, might as well get some experience into the young fella. By the end of the 2015 season he will be an absolute gun with 20-30 games experience under his belt.

My emotions can't keep up with your seamless transition from pessimism to optimism.

GO is one of the most optimistic pessimists you will ever come across...you know it make sense.

BTW Junior, I heard AR speaking on SEN about Jacks performance in the VFL game on the weekend...sounds like he impressed in a very short space of time.

[dragit]

Doesn't look good for the hyphen if he can't break into the side this week?

Hey dragit, at least give the young lad a chance to learn the game!

H2.0

[Johnny Member]

One thing I've noticed over the past few years is that when we have young blokes come into the side, they get a shot at goal and miss.

Sometimes, miss badly.


I know it's going off early, but to me it's a small sign that they may not be as mentally tough as is required in AFL to be a genuine star.


Physically they're clearly not quite ready, but that's Ok. But when you get a hot at goal, 30-40m out, no real angle or pressure - no matter how old you are or inexperienced you are, as a footballer you should slot it.

That's what I'd like to see from Jack. Some poise. Some maturity above the shoulders in circumstances where age is no excuse.

I know you said over the past few years, but...

Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna's first shots at goal missed.

Brett Moyle, Allan Murray and Daniel Wulf slotted their first shots.

Haha! I stand corrected!

[Johnny Member]

Now I'm starting to kinda hope he misses his first shot!

[falka]

Raph kicked his into man on mark and Tom Lynch stuck it on the full.
Dal missed a torp from 55 after siren (not sure if first shot)

[Eastern]

I'm thinking that Jack Billings might be wearing a GREEN vest for the first 1/2 of the game !!

[BigMart]

He had above VFL talent... Therefore

He will develop quicker in the seniors.

He will play better with better players around him

He will enjoy the extra space and conditions at an AFL venue

He will adapt quickly

He seemed far more fitter than several others last week

If TDL got picked ahead of him because he was older and more mature.... I would have spewed up!!!!