Blake Acres believes Billy Longer’s performance against Shane Mumford was the ruckman’s best since crossing from Brisbane at the end of 2013. And Alan Richardson agreed in his post-match press conference on Friday night.
After not playing a senior game in 2016, Longer forced his way back into St Kilda’s engine room in Round 5 and has quickly made his presence felt.
The 23-year-old, who inked a two-year contract extension last July, had the colossal task of quelling the influence of the in-form ruckman in the competition. And by the final siren, it was Longer who had dictated terms with 48 hitouts to help the Saints to a monumental victory.
Longer's dominance around the ball helped pave the way for St Kilda to win the clearance count by + 11, leading to a sizeable inside 50 differential of + 11.
“From what we’ve seen, I reckon that’s been his best game at the club,” Acres told saints.com.au after St Kilda’s 23-point win over GWS Giants on Friday night.
“He really just smacked in and beat one of their better players and gave our mids like Jack Steven and Seb Ross first use.
“I suppose that got everyone going, especially in that last quarter I think he got 17 hitouts.
“It was great for us knowing he was going to smack it every time.”
Game breaking midfielder-forward Jack Billings also heaped praise on wingman Jack Sinclair, who like Longer, has had to beat down the door at Sandringham to earn another chance at the highest level.
Sinclair followed up his career-best possession haul of 21 against Hawthorn with a new personal best of 23 on Friday night, to go with 10 contested possessions, seven tackles and six inside 50s.
“He couldn’t quite get in the first few weeks,” Billings said, “but he kept playing well in the VFL and I think that’s a really important thing; when you come in you’ve had a number of weeks of form and hopefully when you come into the side like Jack has you just keep playing well.
“He was really good again tonight and I’m pumped for him.”
