Longer.

[Sobraz]

Been a massive critic, I did not see anything more than a slow moving tree with concrete hands that was getting toweled up by his direct opponent.

Was fantastic today, by far and away his best game for the club. Most importantly, had little to do with winning the taps, and more about the 18 disposals with 8 marks. That is what is required week in week out.

Well done to him, and if that is the ceiling he is building toward, I'll gladly eat more words letter by letter until I choke.

(Still a big Hickey fan but looks like I'm going to have to get over it and accept he'll more than likely fulfill his potential elsewhere as I don't see a future with 2 pure rucks, which is what Hickey and Longer both are.)

[8856brother]

Will be a star. Will play a pivotal roll in our second premiership.

[seano1]

great game by a guy who is still learning the trade and by the time he`s 25 will be killing it

[stjay]

Have been a critic as well. He had a great game today. Kudos

[#gosaintas]

Played a great game and held his marks

[ROLS-LEE]

Best game for the club. Good signs of a young ruckmen.

[Old Mate]

Been saying it all along. The guy is a bull and the mids walk taller when he's out there. A real competitive beast and he will only get better. Will be one of the best rucks in 2-3 years.

[saintsRrising]

Particularly pleasing see him take so many marks. He has been a bit of an "iron-hands" this season where he was getting his hands to be ball, but not actually take the marks. Today he had a sure grab.

However he needs to play such games against qulaity opponents, as lets face-it McKernan is not much of a ruckman and is really only a relief ruckman/forward.

[prwilkinson]

Yeah he was beastin' all day Billy.

[Vazelos]

Best game for the Club today

[SemperFidelis]

Best game for the Club today

This. He was tremendous.

[whiskers3614]

Thread needs more P66!

[saintjake]

Lets hold off on all the applause. He was good today, no doubt. But he was up against two part time ruckman at best.
McKernan helped himself to 19 touches today and still had 25 hitouts, despite being grossly inexperienced and shorter.

[plugger66]

Thread needs more P66!

He played great. Only a person who shows bias and watches people through one eye could watch someone play like that and say something different. Coaches included. Does it change my opinion about him and Hickey? No because it reaffirms one will go at the end of this season or next and obviously at the moment that is Hickey.

[Ape_Man]

Thread needs more P66!

The way its going it needs more WD40

[maverick]

Let's be fair here, he wasn't playing much.
I still rate Hickey above him personally.
Longer is young and he is improving, so no complaints from me.

[whiskers3614]

Very gracious of you plugger.
In terms of coaches, I have never said Lyon is not a good coach, just a multiple GF choker.
To date history is on my side, should things change I too will graciously concede!

[bigcarl]

Super game by Longer. An intimidating performnce in the clearances and around the ground.

[murray 66]

Geez people are harsh on Longer!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The kid is 22 and rucked all day like Goldstein does for the kangaroos and dominated,clear tapouts to midfielders and second efforts in clearences were inspiring ???
Billy is the future and only going to get better.
It doesn't matter who he rucked against today, destroyed McKernan ....................who the Saints considered drafting after he trained with us over summer.

Since spider, he has given me hope of having a dominating ruckmen once again...............

GO SAINTERS.................................

[Trev from the Bush]

Billy turned 22 a couple of months ago. The best rucks in the league are all closer to 30.

Pleased for Billy today and hope a few might get off his back. His tackle on Stanton was a classic and shows he has more tricks than just winning tap outs.

Please be patient with Billy. To quote Mick Malthouse "the ox is slow but the earth is patient".

Bill will continue to improve over time.

[Harves Man]

Yeah he was beastin' all day Billy.

Yeah, Beastin' Billy - brilliant new nickname!

[dragit]

I've been on his case a bit, so should also commend a great game.

Not huge opposition in McKernan, but his work around the ground was great with plenty of marks.