Re-signed St Kilda young gun Jack Billings says he never considered looking elsewhere despite coming out of contract at the end of this season.
Billings, who turns 22 on Friday, has been one of the Saints’ best performers in 2017, producing a career best campaign to emerge as one of the most damaging medium-sized forwards in the competition.
“The main thing was I wanted to just get a bit of form up this year,” Billings told reporters at a press conference at Linen House Centre on Thursday morning.
“I’m so committed to the club and the Saints, so there was no real rush and I think my manager felt that way and obviously the club did as well.
“I wasn’t ever stressed or worried about it. I’m really committed to the club.
“There wasn’t much talk about it in the media which was good because I made my intentions pretty clear.”
While the budding star is the man who St Kilda want with the ball in hand when transitioning forward - he has registered the 4th most score involvements in the AFL this season - one blemish on Billings' game has been his accuracy.
The Scotch College product hasn’t made the most of his scoring opportunities in 2017, kicking 20.32 from 20 games and admits his inaccuracy is frustrating but something he is determined to improve.
“It’s frustrating but it’s something I’m working on,” Billings said.
“It’s one of those things that it’s probably easier to have 50 to 100 shots during the week, but during a
“So it’s about implementing it during training after a drill when you’re fatigued. I’m trying to do it in match conditions as much as I can and I’m definitely working on it.
“My field kicking has been pretty strong. I just haven’t been able to execute it. I’m going to keeping going for it and hopefully I can turn it around.”
With last Sunday’s disappointing loss to Melbourne all but extinguishing St Kilda’s finals hopes this year, Billings said the Saints’ improvement is going to come from the players on the list taking steps forward in 2018, just like Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton have done this season.
“I think the improvement is going to come from within, just guys taking their games to the next level,” he said.
“I think it’s time younger guys can really put their hand up. It’s an exciting time and I’m looking forward to it.”
