Billings article

[Joe Bloggs]

Alistair1 hour ago
BILLINGS INVITES KELLY TO SAINTS

- Sam Landsberger

JACK Billings has opened contract talks with St Kilda and cheekily told Josh Kelly to join him at Moorabbin next season.

The out-of-contract star wants to thrash out a new deal soon with a big pay rise expected after striking career-best form.
The Herald Sun understands that while talks are in the preliminary stage, a two-year deal worth more than $1 million is the most likely outcome.
Billings, 21, is one of just four players averaging 22 disposals and 2.5 shots at goal per game this season – along with Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Martin and Dayne Zorko.
“I love the club and it’s obviously exciting times – we’re heading back to Moorabbin, hopefully at the end of this year,” Billings said.

The No.3 draft pick was taken the selection after Kelly in 2013 and was in his ear after the Saints stunned Greater Western Sydney by 23 points in Round 7.
“It’d be nice (if Kelly came to St Kilda),” Billings said.
“I obviously grew up playing all the rep sides with Josh, so I know him really well and his family.
“There’s obviously a few teams chasing him, but I’d love him in the Saints colours next year.”
Kelly is expected to receive godfather offers from several clubs including North Melbourne, Carlton and the Saints.
Based on the current ladder, the Saints hold draft picks two and nine and are armed with plenty of space in the salary cap.
Billings said the Saints rediscovered some attacking flair in Friday’s win against the Kangaroos after enduring a “boring” patch in the previous three defeats.
“We just wanted to be more bold with the footy,” he said.
“We felt like we got a little bit boring with the way we were playing, so we tried to get back with a bit of flair that worked for us early in the season.”
The classy forward is playing predominantly forward with midfield bursts every quarter.
He did not train with teammates at Sandringham yesterday while sore defender Jake Carlisle also watched on.
But veteran Nick Riewoldt trained strongly and Paddy McCartin looks set to be available for Sunday’s clash against Gold Coast.
Saints coach Alan Richardson said recently that luckless recruit Nathan Freeman was now training “flat out” and he impressed on the track.

[magnifisaint]

Good positive article

[Proph3t of egan]

So why didn't Billings train?

[WellardSaint]

So why didn't Billings train?

Billings "managed"?

[magnifisaint]

So why didn't Billings train?

Billings "managed"?

He was given a rest

[stonecold]

So, my worry is, most players who come out and do media for the first time in a while normally don't get a kick the following week!!!!! So let's hope it's not the case with JB!!!!!

[satchmo]

So, my worry is, most players who come out and do media for the first time in a while normally don't get a kick the following week!!!!! So let's hope it's not the case with JB!!!!!

That's it. And a two page spread in the sat/sun heraldsun is just about season ending.
Wish the bastards would leave us alone.

[Con Gorozidis]

I honestly wonder if we are just a poor man's Port Adelaide.

Whenever we lose our only response is we need to be 'more bold/brave'.

[saintbrat]

Should Jack get a bonus of if he gets Kelly over the line

[Vazelos]

It's great to know he is asking other players to come to the Saints as he himself is out of contract end of year.
His price would have gone up enormously...
They mentioned 2 year contract for 1 million or $500,000 per year..
That's a fair result for both parties especially now with the pay increase.

[Con Gorozidis]

It's great to know he is asking other players to come to the Saints as he himself is out of contract end of year.
His price would have gone up enormously...
They mentioned 2 year contract for 1 million or $500,000 per year..
That's a fair result for both parties especially now with the pay increase.

He never said he is asking him to come.
Just said it would be good if he did.
Which every player in the AFL would say.

[Con Gorozidis]

Should Jack get a bonus of if he gets Kelly over the line

He never mentions that he is involved or in contact with him at all.

“It’d be nice (if Kelly came to St Kilda),” Billings said

They may not have spoken at all in the last two years from all we know.

[saynta]

Should Jack get a bonus of if he gets Kelly over the line

He never mentions that he is involved or in contact with him at all.

“It’d be nice (if Kelly came to St Kilda),” Billings said

They may not have spoken at all in the last two years from all we know.

Jack Steele is another of Kelly's mates.

[Toy Saint]

It's great to know he is asking other players to come to the Saints as he himself is out of contract end of year.
His price would have gone up enormously...
They mentioned 2 year contract for 1 million or $500,000 per year..
That's a fair result for both parties especially now with the pay increase.

Reckon Jack is worth a bit more than that....

[saintbrat]

Should Jack get a bonus of if he gets Kelly over the line

He never mentions that he is involved or in contact with him at all.

“It’d be nice (if Kelly came to St Kilda),” Billings said

They may not have spoken at all in the last two years from all we know.

Jack Steele is another of Kelly's mates.

in TV interview he does say he spoke to him at the end of the game we played them- as Did Jack Steele.

[WellardSaint]

So, my worry is, most players who come out and do media for the first time in a while normally don't get a kick the following week!!!!! So let's hope it's not the case with JB!!!!!

Another JB stuck his head above the trenches tonight.
Man-Bun on the Footy Show.

This is not good news and I pray we break the curse