HE MAY be 12 years his junior, but already comparisons between Jack Billings and Leigh Montagna are being made.

Both are hard-running, highly skilled midfielders capable of pushing forward and kicking goals.

It flatters the modest Billings, who impressed in Saturday’s intra club match at Linen House Centre despite an interrupted last couple of months due to a quad injury sustained in Boulder, Colorado.

“We’ve got a few similar attributes so I guess if I could be half the player he is then I’ll be pretty happy,” Billings told SAINTS.com.au after the game.

“He’s my mentor so I’ve been doing a bit of work with him away from training and stuff like that.”

The 18-year-old loved the challenge of Saturday’s game in sweltering conditions and demonstrated great poise and class beyond his years.

“It was really good to be out there for the first time with all the boys. It was pretty hot but I enjoyed it… I guess I was just happy to play today and hopefully keep building.”

While he is still developing his relatively light frame in the gym, Billings is hopeful of a senior call-up at some stage this year.

“I guess I will just try and improve and get better each week,” he said.  “I’m not really sure how many games I’m going to play but hopefully I can get an opportunity at some stage. I’m just looking forward to the season and what lies ahead.”

As for the quad injury the proved to be his first obstacle as an AFL footballer, the No.3 draft pick is adamant it’s completely healed.

“The injury is all good now so it should be fine,” he said. “I had to manage it so I was in the rehab group for a while. Slowly I’ve been working back into it and then last couple of weeks have been really good.”

You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32