WITH most clubs hesitant to draft a ruckman with a first-round pick, it must take some talent for a big man to be considered worthy of an early selection in the modern day.

As the only ruckman to be taken in the top eight of a draft in the past six years, Billy Longer carries with him some excitement and expectation.

In his first year with St Kilda, Longer managed 16 games, playing predominantly as the team’s no. 1 ruckman as injury held Tom Hickey to just the six games.

Longer is the 17th St Kilda player to sign on as part of #SaintsFutureFest, a blitz which has seen a raft of future stars re-commit to the club ahead of the 2015 season.

The big man from Macleod in Melbourne’s northern suburbs had managed just the nine games in his two seasons at the Brisbane Lions after he was taken with pick eight at the 2011 National Draft but took a considerable step up in his first season in the red, white and black.

He said he was loving his new football home and while it was not a flattering final ladder position for the Saints, there was a good buzz around Linen House Centre.

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“I am really enjoying St Kilda at the moment,” Longer told SAINTS.com.au.

“There is a good bunch of young boys at the club and we are all really striving to improve and absorb as much information as we can off the coaches. It’s a good feeling at the moment.

“I really love the people that we have at the club at the moment, from players to coaches to staff. The quality is really high, everyone is on the same page, and that breeds a great culture to be a part of.”

At just 21 years of age, Longer is yet to reach the peak age of an AFL ruckman but he said he could use his 2014 form as a base for what could lay ahead.

“I was given a lot of opportunity this year and I am really thankful for that, so next season I just hope to repay the faith the coaches and my teammates have put in me and play some consistent footy,” Longer said.

“I want to have a good pre-season and in doing so give myself the best opportunity to be in the best physical shape I can be in.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said the future could be a bright one for Longer.

“Billy has the potential to be one of the best big men in the game,” Richardson said.

“He has a terrific vertical leap and aggression in the contest. He’s capable of winning the ball as a forward as well.

Saints Head of Football Chris Pelchen said Longer could prove to be a vital part of the St Kilda team for years to come.

"Billy matured into a genuine AFL player during 2014 by shouldering the no. 1 ruck role in Tom Hickey’s absence,” Pelchen said.

“He benefited from increased application to his training and we are confident that through continued improvement, Billy will provide the Saints with a very talented ruck combination for years to come."