Billy Longer

[Devilhead]

He is what??

Just turned 22 and has played 32 games

He needs a few more years to build his endurance/fitness base and soon we should have a very good player and even by then he still probably would not have reached his peak

Big guys take time - Longer will take time - we need to give these kids time and get off their backs - we should be enjoying watching them develop

[plugger66]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

[maverick]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

This is a good thread, not critical at all….
Can you not discussing anything that is not full on praise????

[plugger66]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

This is a good thread, not critical at all….
Can you not discussing anything that is not full on praise????

That's what I thought. I even said the guy had improved 10 fold. It actually maybe better for his long term future to have a week or two off.

[seano1]

bloody hell they`ve been in the game 5 minutes and you want to pack him off.........how many times do you hear how long it takes to develop a ruckman...I could retire for every dollar each time a coach says that....how many 20 odd year old ruckman have been great from their first game.......not many and if there are any they are freaks.

They are trying to develop a team of young blokes it will take time

[SainterK]

I can see where he's coming from.

I'm not so enamoured.

He is doing well for his age, but overrated by some.

That's not his fault though.

Soon I'd bring in Roo and Mem, and play hickey only

[plugger66]

bloody hell they`ve been in the game 5 minutes and you want to pack him off.........how many times do you hear how long it takes to develop a ruckman...I could retire for every dollar each time a coach says that....how many 20 odd year old ruckman have been great from their first game.......not many and if there are any they are freaks.

They are trying to develop a team of young blokes it will take time

I looked but didn't find one post that mentioned anything you said. I suggest you read the thread, not guess what was written.

[spert]

Needs a bit of specialist coaching to improve his agility at ground level- below the knees, and he will struggle against some more athletic rucks who have that ability. Hickey is good at ground level, and I would like to see a bit more of that from Billy.

[The Fireman]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

well I disagree, I believe he should get more games at top level under his belt.

So now you know what I'm about.

[Moods]

agree completely with P66. Longer has improved, but the opposition ruck ALWAYS hurt us every week we play. Not sure it's because he doesn't have a great defensive mindset or his tank isn't big enough to attack AND defend, but part of beating your opponent is preventing them having an impact.

His centre clearance/ruck work have improved dramatically and it's nice to see him taking a couple of marks around the ground, but it's not as if he's Gary Dempsey in that area either. Just not sure who we'd bring in for him.

[gringo]

I can see where he's coming from.

I'm not so enamoured.

He is doing well for his age, but overrated by some.

That's not his fault though.

Soon I'd bring in Roo and Mem, and play hickey only

I won't be surprised if we keep the two this week. WCE have lost so many tall defenders it's almost a joke. If there is one week to play Hickey forward it's this one. Bruce and Hickey would stretch most teams. I would love to see Lee play too and see if we could rotate him back and forward as needed but would loose a midfield rotation.

[plugger66]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

well I disagree, I believe he should get more games at top level under his belt.

So now you know what I'm about.

Well if you had of said that in the first place it would have saved 3 comments.

[The Fireman]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

well I disagree, I believe he should get more games at top level under his belt.

So now you know what I'm about.

Well if you had of said that in the first place it would have saved 3 comments.

Well I thought that was clear in my first comment by saying he is the best tap we have atm...which would have saved 4 comments.

[plugger66]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

well I disagree, I believe he should get more games at top level under his belt.

So now you know what I'm about.

Well if you had of said that in the first place it would have saved 3 comments.

Well I thought that was clear in my first comment by saying he is the best tap we have atm...which would have saved 4 comments.

I didn't know that being the best tap ruckman doesn't mean you don't need a rest. That's 5 saved if you addressed that.

[The Fireman]

I'm a big fan of Billy, he is the best tap we have atm and he will better around the grd.
This group is improving game by game.....I know this thread was aimed at discussion but we certainly don't need critical evaluations of players who are improving.

Its about now and resting a player. Its amazing what people think it is about.

well I disagree, I believe he should get more games at top level under his belt.

So now you know what I'm about.

Well if you had of said that in the first place it would have saved 3 comments.

Well I thought that was clear in my first comment by saying he is the best tap we have atm...which would have saved 4 comments.

I didn't know that being the best tap ruckman doesn't mean you don't need a rest. That's 5 saved if you addressed that.

?? I disagreed with you ,I explained I don't think he should be rested...are you a politician ?...you certainly possess the annoyance value. Christopher Pyne perhaps? I can see how you piss people off on here

[FQF]

I don't have any evidence to back this up, but I don't think ruckmen benefit at all from playing in the VFL other than to practice their tapwork. The pace of the game, smaller grounds and general lower level of fitness would not develop a guy like Billy who is trying to work on his ability to cover the ground and get to contests. I'd prefer that he works his backside off in the AFL exposing his deficiencies than cruise around in the VFL with lesser required work rate.

[The Fireman]

I don't have any evidence to back this up, but I don't think ruckmen benefit at all from playing in the VFL other than to practice their tapwork. The pace of the game, smaller grounds and general lower level of fitness would not develop a guy like Billy who is trying to work on his ability to cover the ground and get to contests. I'd prefer that he works his backside off in the AFL exposing his deficiencies than cruise around in the VFL with lesser required work rate.

couldn't agree more

[The Recruit]

This thread is a load of garbage. Longer is a very good young ruckman who has made tremendous progress in the time he has played. It is amazing to see how well he has developed over 12 months. Longer will be a very good player for the Saints, with hickey doing well forward he will continue to play and so he should.

[Teflon]

whats going on in this thread?

Its a shocker, absolutely terrible possibly worst one Ive ever seen in 34 years on SS.........how dare a young player on 32 games be questioned!!

Cmon plugger.......I can hear you coming in off the long run.......

All jokes aside, I have enjoyed you trying to explain this thread 10 times thus far.....

[plugger66]

whats going on in this thread?

Its a shocker, absolutely terrible possibly worst one Ive ever seen in 34 years on SS.........how dare a young player on 32 games be questioned!!

Cmon plugger.......I can hear you coming in off the long run.......

All jokes aside, I have enjoyed you trying to explain this thread 10 times thus far.....

Seems it maybe 30 before some understand.

[The Fireman]

whats going on in this thread?

Its a shocker, absolutely terrible possibly worst one Ive ever seen in 34 years on SS.........how dare a young player on 32 games be questioned!!

Cmon plugger.......I can hear you coming in off the long run.......

All jokes aside, I have enjoyed you trying to explain this thread 10 times thus far.....

aaahh I see...So Plugger is just misunderstood..explains everything

[plugger66]

whats going on in this thread?

Its a shocker, absolutely terrible possibly worst one Ive ever seen in 34 years on SS.........how dare a young player on 32 games be questioned!!

Cmon plugger.......I can hear you coming in off the long run.......

All jokes aside, I have enjoyed you trying to explain this thread 10 times thus far.....

aaahh I see...So Plugger is just misunderstood..explains everything

I think it just shows people cant understand the word rest. Somehow some think it means ability. I noticed many are called for Dunstan to be rested this week. he must lack ability as well.

[Saint wagga]

cant remember the last time one of the younger guys was 'rested' under Richo's watch. Everything he has said in Pressers has been positive about Longer although your point re:the other rucks doing well when they play us is very true, they seem to find space and have a good game...

Personally i'm happy for another season of mild pain with Billy, hes certainly tracking well, probably could do with a rest, but i get the vibe it isnt forthcoming. maybe if we start flunking games, more 'rest' changes willl happen?

ps: i thought Cordy actually played pretty well and took a couple of good marks around the ground against freo, hitouts aside. He may not be as bad as obviously you and i'm with you, thought he was.

[Teflon]

I just can't understand this thread

Went to bed, woke up and it still here screaming "look at me"

Attacking a poor, defenceless kid like Billy is akin to killing Bambi

Worlds gone mad

Over to u plugs!!!

[kosifantutti]

I was "rested" in U16s. Still resting.