Ahead of Jack Billings' 100th career game this weekend, we look back on some of the young star's highlights in the red, white and black.
1. JB makes his debut
Jack Billings poses during the 2014 St Kilda portrait session.
Three teenage Saints made their debut in the opening round of Season 2014 against Melbourne, with Jack Billings rounding out the trio of Luke Dunstan and Eli Templeton.
Billings was subbed on at three-quarter time for Jimmy Webster (groin soreness), finishing with four touches and a behind.
The 18-year-old Saint had a chance to slot his maiden major after winning the ball out the back, but ended up hitting the post upon running into an open goal.
Billings would have to wait until Round 5 against Essendon for his first goal, which he kicked 15 minutes into the first quarter.
2. Rising Star nomination
St Kilda was anchored to the bottom of the ladder after eight losses on the trot, but Billings provided a glimmer of hope after being nominated as the Round 14 Rising Star.
'JB' booted three goals in the first quarter and closed out his performance with 25 disposals at 100% efficiency - a sure sign of his class and prowess after just 10 senior games.
"I thought I was going to kick 12 or something," Billings joked to AFL.com.au.
It's a lot about having condifidence when you're out there and I've just tried to do that."
3. The half-time comeback against the Bulldogs
Electrifying! #ohwhatafeeling! http://t.co/HO6Taxcvrh
— AFL (@AFL) 9 May 2015
Fast-forward to 2015, and Billings' importance to the St Kilda line-up was becoming more and more prominent with each passing week.
It was on full display against the Western Bulldogs in Round 6, with the young gun almost single-handedly gifting the Saints the incredible come-from-behind victory.
ON THIS DAY: Saints stun Bulldogs with half-time comeback
The Saints were 55 points down in the third term before Billings booted his four second half goals, three of which were kicked in the last quarter.
Billings' last 20 minutes of play also included five inside-50s, 10 disposals and four contested possessions to guide St Kilda to the equal-fifth biggest comeback in VFL/AFL history.
4. JB cracks 30 for the first time
Saints forward Jack Billings slots a terrific goal. #AFLSaintsPies https://t.co/zbYVSyJS38
— AFL (@AFL) April 9, 2016
After just the nine games in 2015 due to a lingering stress fracture in his shin, Billings finally got enough football under his belt the following year to piece together his first 30-disposal game, complete with a handy two-goal bag.
In what was the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Premiership, Billings stepped up following injuries to Nick Riewoldt, Paddy McCartin and Dylan Roberton to steer the Saints to a memorable 29-point win.
The up-and-coming midfielder joined Seb Ross, Jack Steven, Jack Newnes and Leigh Montagna among the Saints' leading ball-winners, securing a Brownlow vote for his stellar performance in the process.
5. 50 games, five goals, three votes
Jack Billings and Seb Ross were among the Saints' best in the former's 50th game.
Generally, one's 50th game is moreso an acknowledgement than a celebration, but JB had every reason to celebrate following his superb outing at Etihad Stadium.
It may have taken a little longer than originally anticipated, but Billings' milestone match was certainly one to remember, with a career-high five goals punctuating his extraordinary outing.
His penetrating left boot was at its damaging best that day, with the pick No. 3 booting four of his five majors in the opening half to the raucous cheers of the St Kilda faithful.
JB equalled his then-personal-best 30-disposal haul, plucked a game-high 12 marks and chalked up an impressive 12 score involvments.
Carlton nearly stole the win after booting three unanswered goals to close out the third term, but another three goals from the Saints proved to be enough to end Billings' day on a high.
A deserving three Brownlow votes, but that Saturday afternoon was just the first.
6. Three votes, J. Billings (x3)
Billings' talent was always known, but it was in 2017 where his efforts were recognised across the entire league.
The Saints' star recruit polled in five matches at the AFL's night of nights, which bore a combined 140 disposals and 10 goals.
JB polled the maximum number of votes against Collingwood (28 disposals, one goal), Carlton (30 disposals, five goals) and Gold Coast (30 disposals, one goal), while also registering votes against Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne - the latter of which was done with just one eye.
A blackened eye wasn't enough to keep Billings quiet against the Demons.
The highly-touted star had several other memorable performances which weren't rewarded with a Brownlow vote, including against West Coast in which he kicked the sealer in the game's final minute.
Billings was unlucky not to be included in the 2017 All Australian squad alongside teammates Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton following his breakout season, but finished second for the Saints in that year's Brownlow count with 11 votes.
7. The resurgence
Billings managed to turn around a highly-scrutinised 2018 campaign to lay the foundations for many prosperous years ahead.
After the No. 15 guernsey dominated in 2017, there naturally came the expectation for an even more impressive 2018.
But when those lofty, external standards weren't met - combined with St Kilda's sudden drop-off after narrowly missing finals - Billings became subject to a great deal of criticism.
Unable to harness the flair which made him such a deadly asset last season, Billings was ultimately dropped to the reserves to reignite the spark.
BILLINGS: 'It's all about looking forward'
It was the catalyst the under-fire Saint needed, with his 54-disposal haul in the VFL kickstarting a strong finish to a victory-starved 2018 season.
Billings finished the remaining 10 games with over 20 disposals and played pivotal roles in the Saints' two-point victories over Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Now in 2019, Billings' refusal to throw in the towel is reaping nothing but rewards.
8. A heroic performance against the Hawks
Although pipped by Seb Ross for the Silk-Miller Memorial Medal, Billings was one of the Saints' best against Hawthorn.
'Jack Billings started his 2019 campaign with a bang' is an understatement considering his explosive beginning to the year.
The weight of expectation threatened once again after Billings was elevated to St Kilda's leadership group, but his mantra of 'looking forward' and tackling challenges head on emerged victorious.
A move to the Saints' engine room saw the No. 15 string together a slew of dominant performances against Gold Coast (28 disposals), Essendon (28 disposals) and Fremantle (30 disposals, two goals).
Gone were the critics and gone were the concerns surrounding his importance to the Saints.
And Billings put any lingering doubters to bed with an impressive showing in St Kilda's nail-biting win over Hawthorn in Round 4.
Under the roof of Marvel Stadium, JB racked up a career-high 34 possessions (11 contested), six rebound-50s, five tackles and four clearances to be one of the Saints' major players in the inspiring victory.
And it was certainly a sign of things to come.
9. Billings sinks Suns
After a quiet week in Shanghai, Billings flipped the switch in Townsville, composing a match-winning performance complete with 33 disposals, 11 tackles, eight marks and two majors.
Even more stunning were his efforts in the final quarter, where he amassed 10 disposals, six tackles and kicked a pair of goals to will the Saints to an emphatic victory.
SAINTER OF THE ROUND: Blistering Billings back to his best
In a game almost won off his own boot, Billings once again proved his ability to deliver when it most mattered.
And with game 100 right around the corner, the St Kilda faithful will be rallying behing their beloved JB to piece together an equally remarkable display.
10. JB recommits to the red, white and black
It was the news every Saints fan wanted to hear.
With Billings recommitting to St Kilda for another two seasons, the fears of the No. 15 trading in his red, white and black were well and truly allayed.
And with fellow talents Rowan Marshall, Jade Gresham and Daniel McKenzie also inking new deals, the future is looking bright down at Linton St.
I really want to be part of bringing success to this club and I’m concentrating on making that happen.” - Jack Billings
