News 2021 St.Kilda Media Thread

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Lucky we’ve got the mid-season draft and list spots available.
Can actually double dip at the draft this season. Got to go young -18, 19, 20 yrs max. ( yes, I know we already have a 20 year old Max.) 😄
 
Jun 17, 2018
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Last night on Footy Classified Lloyd pointed out St Kilda as costing the AFL a bucket load or similar. I thought WTF??

For 2019 the smallest earnings were:
Gold Coast
North Melbourne
Western Bulldogs

Least profitable:
Melbourne
Fremantle

Least gate revenue:
Gold Coast
Greater Western Sydney

Most AFL distributions:
Gold Coast
Greater Western Sydney
Brisbane


So how come with all of those clubs only St Kilda is mentioned when other clubs are much worse? Stick the knife in Lloydy!!!

This on top of Cornes saying St Kilda shouldn't have primetime matches because he doesn't want to watch them. I know where he's coming from, but why put us down when there are sh*ttier clubs currently below us and we had a magnificent win against West Coast? A couple of bad games and the media are ready and waiting to cut our legs off!

Our blow out losses over the last few years have made it easy to stick the knife in. We choke in every primetime game we have, and our team has been a middling mess of undeveloped, badly drafted, misused talent. Last year is now looking like an anomaly, and we can't keep coasting on its relevance forever.
Until we become a good team and regular finalist with incremental gains each season, we will always be the whipping boys.
 

prophetic1

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Apr 18, 2013
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Our blow out losses over the last few years have made it easy to stick the knife in. We choke in every primetime game we have, and our team has been a middling mess of undeveloped, badly drafted, misused talent. Last year is now looking like an anomaly, and we can't keep coasting on its relevance forever.
Until we become a good team and regular finalist with incremental gains each season, we will always be the whipping boys.
Yeah that's absolutely true but golly how much did the the Bombers cost the entire face of the AFL when they decided to channel Porky Pig and become the Injectors when they used anything or everything to stop their house from blowin down.? So how the hell can he point the finger ....The bad publicity alone would have cost untold amounts. We are still trying our best they did their worst! It frustrates me the way judgementalism works! I suppose its just as judgemental for me to say that!
 
Jun 17, 2018
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Yeah that's absolutely true but golly how much did the the Bombers cost the entire face of the AFL when they decided to channel Porky Pig and become the Injectors when they used anything or everything to stop their house from blowin down.? So how the hell can he point the finger ....The bad publicity alone would have cost untold amounts. We are still trying our best they did their worst! It frustrates me the way judgementalism works! I suppose its just as judgemental for me to say that!

No, you make a valid point.
 
Sep 20, 2009
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St Kilda Death

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The only thing enjoyable about this article was it linked me to 20 photos of Paige Spiranac
Going to be a long and ugly season if things don't change soon!

Love Joey.
But that is a reactionary piece of journalism and unfounded.

We played 6 of those traded in players this week.
8 if u want to include Steele and Carlisle which he didn’t.

port had 6 traded in players, and another as sub.

doggies 6-0 on the back of bringing in treloar and Martin this year, Bruce and Keith last year. Crozier and duryea also recent trade ins.

melb also played 6 traded in players on the weekend.
 

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riewoldt12 YouTube channel has been uploading the entire '99 season over the last few days. About two games a day. At Round 13 at the moment. Some classics in there, really great memories.
 
Apr 24, 2014
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Love Joey.
But that is a reactionary piece of journalism and unfounded.

We played 6 of those traded in players this week.
8 if u want to include Steele and Carlisle which he didn’t.

port had 6 traded in players, and another as sub.

doggies 6-0 on the back of bringing in treloar and Martin this year, Bruce and Keith last year. Crozier and duryea also recent trade ins.

melb also played 6 traded in players on the weekend.
We also had most of them last year. Didn’t hear too many complaints then.
 

LiterallyNobody

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riewoldt12 YouTube channel has been uploading the entire '99 season over the last few days. About two games a day. At Round 13 at the moment. Some classics in there, really great memories.
Round 13 wasn’t a great memory. Losing to last placed Collingwood. One week after the 63 point turnaround.
But round 10 was good. Enjoyed that comeback.
 

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How St Kilda has been figured out by opposition sides in 2021
St Kilda ranks 17th for goals, ahead of only North Melbourne, and major stats differentials compared to last year are alarming. Why are they battling?

Sam Landsberger Sam Landsberger
Follow

@samlandsberger


4 min read
April 27, 2021 - 1:56PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

27 comments




FOXSPORTS2:06
Port power past sorry Saints
AFL: Port Adelaide put a beating on a sorry St Kilda side at Adelaide Oval, kicking 14 goals to the Saints' 5.



St Kilda has been urged to do everything in its power to re-sign free agent Jack Billings, despite the appeal of a possible top-five draft pick as compensation.
Billings, 25, said this month he was in no rush to talk turkey and was instead focused on playing football.
Rival clubs believe Billings is gettable, although there has only been lukewarm interest in the playmaker so far.
Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
If the Saints were to miss finals and receive “band one” compensation for Billings, they would walk away with two top-10 picks in this year’s draft.
They do not have a second-round pick and only entered the 2019 draft at pick 52 (Ryan Byrnes) and the 2020 draft at pick 26 (Matthew Allison).
However “band one” compensation would only be triggered if Billings accepted a mega contract offer in excess of $700,000 per season elsewhere, similar to Joe Daniher’s deal at Brisbane Lions.
On market value, Billings would probably command around $600,000 per season, which would generate either an end-of-first-round or second-round compensation selection.
Results
Should St Kilda let Jack Billings leave for free agency compensation?

Yes
52%

No
25%

Depends what the compensation is
23%
1,131 Voters


Bradley Hill and Jack Billings were St Kilda’s regular wingmen in the first month of the season.

Bradley Hill and Jack Billings were St Kilda’s regular wingmen in the first month of the season.
The man who recruited Billings at pick No. 3 in the 2013 draft – Chris Pelchen – said his worth to the Saints transcended on-field input.


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“Jack Billings is very much a player they can build their leadership group around over the next five or six years,” Pelchen told the Herald Sun.
“I would be hesitant to trade him out even though there would be interest – I know Essendon have had an ongoing interest in Jack – and the fact he’s a player that can be more easily covered than a key-position player like Max King or a Rowan Marshall.”
Jack Billings has a big call to make on his St Kilda future.

Jack Billings has a big call to make on his St Kilda future.
St Kilda has the AFL’s oldest list and will soon need to replace Paddy Ryder, 33, captain Jarryn Geary, 32, Dan Hannebery, 30 and Jake Carlisle, 29, in their best 22.
Veterans James Frawley, 32 and Shaun McKernan, 30, are also nearing the end.
Dylan Roberton has retired. Pelchen said Billings was needed for a “level of maturity and continuity” when those players exit Moorabbin.
Billings has managed only 14 disposals in the past two heavy defeats and has not hit the scoreboard.
Coach Brett Ratten has played Billings almost as an exclusive forward in that time, after he snapped his plantar fascia on the eve of Round 6.
Before that it was Billings the wingman, a role which has since been given to Daniel McKenzie and Josh Battle, supporting permanent winger Bradley Hill.
HOW RIVALS HAVE WORKED OUT STRUGGLING SAINTS
Brett Ratten has had his game plan unpicked this season.
That isn’t an outlandish opinion, it is the appraisal from St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross after the first six rounds.
“I think teams are playing us a little bit differently this year,” Ross said.
“Last year we were really attacking and getting the ball in deep, and kicking goals from 0-30m.
“Teams are obviously wary of that, so they force us to kick short, which is not something we want to do.
“We’re sort of starving big Maxy (King) of opportunities.”
Brett Ratten is confronting big challengers in his second season as St Kilda coach.

Brett Ratten is confronting big challengers in his second season as St Kilda coach.
The refreshing honesty came after the club’s third 50-point drubbing in four weeks. It was on the money.
Last season the Saints were ranked No. 1 for goals kicked inside 15m.
This year they are 10th. Last season the Saints only took 25 per cent of their shots from 41-50m.
This year it is 36 per cent. Last season the Saints were ranked 3rd for converting inside 50s to goals. This year they are 17th.
The Saints generated so many ‘gimmes’ last season that they couldn’t miss.
They were ranked No. 2 in the AFL for accuracy, but that has slipped to 11th in 2021.
King has managed just two goals from 0-30m after five full-length games.
Last season he booted 13 from close range in 18 shortened games.
Likewise, Dan Butler booted 21 out of his 29 majors from near the goalmouth in 2020. How many times did Butler stream into an open goal?
The Saints matched Port Adelaide’s 52 inside 50s on Sunday night, but did not get bang for buck.
“We just don’t get the scoreboard nourishment that other teams are getting,” Ratten examined.
“Our inability to score, which was a great strength of ours from an accuracy point of view and a potency point of view, has dried up.”
Brad Crouch is crunched by Tom Clurey.

Brad Crouch is crunched by Tom Clurey.
Defender Ben Long laments another St Kilda defeat.

Defender Ben Long laments another St Kilda defeat.
It’s shaping up as a dreary year. The Saints rank 17th for goals, ahead of only North Melbourne, and 17th for defence, again, ahead of only North Melbourne.
Their percentage of 67 is the club’s worst since the 2014 wooden-spoon season, and second-worst since 1985.
Former Saint Leigh Montagna said they had played just four good quarters out of 24 for the season.
Nick Dal Santo reckons they’ve “lost their spark” and their “mojo”.
Has Ratten been too forgiving at selection? Paddy Ryder will return against Hawthorn on Saturday although Bradley Hill (Achilles) will miss.
Luke Dunstan’s 46 VFL disposals might be rewarded, but there isn’t exactly a queue of elite, young talent buried beneath the surface.
The Saints have lost centre clearance by 10 in each of the past two weeks.
If captain Jack Steele or recruit Brad Crouch doesn’t win it, chances are the other team does, particularly with Jade Gresham (Achilles) out for the year.
The Saints are ranked 17th at centre bounce, compared to fourth last year.
Western Bulldogs have two of the AFL’s top five centre-bounce players – Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae – but, outside of Steele, it is hard yakka for the Saints.
“Players are trying to find a way but our style of play isn’t shining through how we’d like to,” Ratten said.
More Coverage
Saints need ‘scoring nourishment’ after horror lossBig money man in the gun as injuries hit St Kilda
“The season’s a marathon but you’ve got to get going at certain stages or the time will run out.”
The Saints will start favourites against Hawthorn and Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium) before battles against Geelong and Western Bulldogs. They are on the clock.
Inside 50 Newsletter
Hi craig, get AFL news and expert analysis delivered direct to your inbox.
 

ScrappyDo

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Mar 29, 2018
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How St Kilda has been figured out by opposition sides in 2021
St Kilda ranks 17th for goals, ahead of only North Melbourne, and major stats differentials compared to last year are alarming. Why are they battling?

Sam Landsberger Sam Landsberger
Follow
@samlandsberger

4 min read
April 27, 2021 - 1:56PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
27 comments



FOXSPORTS2:06
Port power past sorry Saints
AFL: Port Adelaide put a beating on a sorry St Kilda side at Adelaide Oval, kicking 14 goals to the Saints' 5.



St Kilda has been urged to do everything in its power to re-sign free agent Jack Billings, despite the appeal of a possible top-five draft pick as compensation.
Billings, 25, said this month he was in no rush to talk turkey and was instead focused on playing football.
Rival clubs believe Billings is gettable, although there has only been lukewarm interest in the playmaker so far.
Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
If the Saints were to miss finals and receive “band one” compensation for Billings, they would walk away with two top-10 picks in this year’s draft.
They do not have a second-round pick and only entered the 2019 draft at pick 52 (Ryan Byrnes) and the 2020 draft at pick 26 (Matthew Allison).
However “band one” compensation would only be triggered if Billings accepted a mega contract offer in excess of $700,000 per season elsewhere, similar to Joe Daniher’s deal at Brisbane Lions.
On market value, Billings would probably command around $600,000 per season, which would generate either an end-of-first-round or second-round compensation selection.
Results
Should St Kilda let Jack Billings leave for free agency compensation?

Yes
52%

No
25%

Depends what the compensation is
23%
1,131 Voters


Bradley Hill and Jack Billings were St Kilda’s regular wingmen in the first month of the season.

Bradley Hill and Jack Billings were St Kilda’s regular wingmen in the first month of the season.
The man who recruited Billings at pick No. 3 in the 2013 draft – Chris Pelchen – said his worth to the Saints transcended on-field input.


FROM OUR PARTNERS
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Superstore now streaming on BINGE New customers get a 14 Day Free Trial
“Jack Billings is very much a player they can build their leadership group around over the next five or six years,” Pelchen told the Herald Sun.
“I would be hesitant to trade him out even though there would be interest – I know Essendon have had an ongoing interest in Jack – and the fact he’s a player that can be more easily covered than a key-position player like Max King or a Rowan Marshall.”
Jack Billings has a big call to make on his St Kilda future.

Jack Billings has a big call to make on his St Kilda future.
St Kilda has the AFL’s oldest list and will soon need to replace Paddy Ryder, 33, captain Jarryn Geary, 32, Dan Hannebery, 30 and Jake Carlisle, 29, in their best 22.
Veterans James Frawley, 32 and Shaun McKernan, 30, are also nearing the end.
Dylan Roberton has retired. Pelchen said Billings was needed for a “level of maturity and continuity” when those players exit Moorabbin.
Billings has managed only 14 disposals in the past two heavy defeats and has not hit the scoreboard.
Coach Brett Ratten has played Billings almost as an exclusive forward in that time, after he snapped his plantar fascia on the eve of Round 6.
Before that it was Billings the wingman, a role which has since been given to Daniel McKenzie and Josh Battle, supporting permanent winger Bradley Hill.
HOW RIVALS HAVE WORKED OUT STRUGGLING SAINTS
Brett Ratten has had his game plan unpicked this season.
That isn’t an outlandish opinion, it is the appraisal from St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross after the first six rounds.
“I think teams are playing us a little bit differently this year,” Ross said.
“Last year we were really attacking and getting the ball in deep, and kicking goals from 0-30m.
“Teams are obviously wary of that, so they force us to kick short, which is not something we want to do.
“We’re sort of starving big Maxy (King) of opportunities.”
Brett Ratten is confronting big challengers in his second season as St Kilda coach.

Brett Ratten is confronting big challengers in his second season as St Kilda coach.
The refreshing honesty came after the club’s third 50-point drubbing in four weeks. It was on the money.
Last season the Saints were ranked No. 1 for goals kicked inside 15m.
This year they are 10th. Last season the Saints only took 25 per cent of their shots from 41-50m.
This year it is 36 per cent. Last season the Saints were ranked 3rd for converting inside 50s to goals. This year they are 17th.
The Saints generated so many ‘gimmes’ last season that they couldn’t miss.
They were ranked No. 2 in the AFL for accuracy, but that has slipped to 11th in 2021.
King has managed just two goals from 0-30m after five full-length games.
Last season he booted 13 from close range in 18 shortened games.
Likewise, Dan Butler booted 21 out of his 29 majors from near the goalmouth in 2020. How many times did Butler stream into an open goal?
The Saints matched Port Adelaide’s 52 inside 50s on Sunday night, but did not get bang for buck.
“We just don’t get the scoreboard nourishment that other teams are getting,” Ratten examined.
“Our inability to score, which was a great strength of ours from an accuracy point of view and a potency point of view, has dried up.”
Brad Crouch is crunched by Tom Clurey.

Brad Crouch is crunched by Tom Clurey.
Defender Ben Long laments another St Kilda defeat.

Defender Ben Long laments another St Kilda defeat.
It’s shaping up as a dreary year. The Saints rank 17th for goals, ahead of only North Melbourne, and 17th for defence, again, ahead of only North Melbourne.
Their percentage of 67 is the club’s worst since the 2014 wooden-spoon season, and second-worst since 1985.
Former Saint Leigh Montagna said they had played just four good quarters out of 24 for the season.
Nick Dal Santo reckons they’ve “lost their spark” and their “mojo”.
Has Ratten been too forgiving at selection? Paddy Ryder will return against Hawthorn on Saturday although Bradley Hill (Achilles) will miss.
Luke Dunstan’s 46 VFL disposals might be rewarded, but there isn’t exactly a queue of elite, young talent buried beneath the surface.
The Saints have lost centre clearance by 10 in each of the past two weeks.
If captain Jack Steele or recruit Brad Crouch doesn’t win it, chances are the other team does, particularly with Jade Gresham (Achilles) out for the year.
The Saints are ranked 17th at centre bounce, compared to fourth last year.
Western Bulldogs have two of the AFL’s top five centre-bounce players – Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae – but, outside of Steele, it is hard yakka for the Saints.
“Players are trying to find a way but our style of play isn’t shining through how we’d like to,” Ratten said.
More Coverage
Saints need ‘scoring nourishment’ after horror lossBig money man in the gun as injuries hit St Kilda
“The season’s a marathon but you’ve got to get going at certain stages or the time will run out.”
The Saints will start favourites against Hawthorn and Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium) before battles against Geelong and Western Bulldogs. They are on the clock.
Inside 50 Newsletter
Hi craig, get AFL news and expert analysis delivered direct to your inbox.
All l can say is articals that call us the oldest list without clarifying those old guys aren't playing are piffle.
And our center clearance stats are everything to do with the personnel we had in those first few weeks.

The rest is obvious, and I'd take a top 10 pick for Billings in a heartbeat.
 
Last edited:

kernelT

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All l can say is articals that call us the oldest list without clarifying those old guys aren't playing are piffle.
And our center clearance stats are everything to do with the personal we had in those first few weeks.

The rest is obvious, and I'd take a top 10 pick for Billings in a heartbeat.
I guess we're easy targets at the minute and deserve heat, but it's pretty laughable what gets published.

How's this clown - Max Laughton comparing our list management to Geelong?

"This is the risk when you recruit for the present. Two clubs went all-in last trade period by adding more mature players to an already experienced group - Geelong and St Kilda. The Cats finally looked right on the weekend, but the Saints looked awful. Again. When you bring in experience, it’s trading long-term growth for short-term gains. The Saints have had just two top-40 draft picks in the last three years and recruits like Dan Hannebery, Bradley Hill, Dan Butler, Zak Jones and Brad Crouch have all been disappointing so far in 2021. The problem then is when you don’t get those short-term gains, you’re old and bad, which is the worst thing to be in footy."

The Clown Chronicle

So King reckons its' all about first rounders, now Max reckons top 40 is the important number.

The Cats have 17 players over 27 years of age on their list, 15 of which are first choice players when available.

In comparison, we have currently have 8 players over 27 and maybe 2 or 3 of these are first choice players.

Older players unlikely to be on the list next year:
Ryder - 33 (0 games this year)
Geary - 32 (0 games this year)
Frawley - 32 (0 games this year)
McKernan - 30 (3 games this year)
Hannebery - 30 (probably can't write his contract off) (0 games this year)
Carlisle - 29 (4 games this year) (I'd keep him, but the club doesn't seem to rate him in his best spot)
Roberton - 29 (0 games this year)
Hunter - 28 (3 games this year)
Wood - 27 (1 game this year)
Kent - 27 (0 games this year)

Which would make our oldest players Ross, Webster, Hill & Crouch - all 27, we'll probably be looking for more experienced players to bring in because we'll be the youngest, least experienced list in the comp.

To liken the Cats list age profile with ours is actually cringeworthy.
 
Last edited:

ScrappyDo

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Mar 29, 2018
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I guess we're easy targets at the minute and deserve heat, but it's pretty laughable what gets published.

How's this clown - Max Laughton comparing our list management to Geelong?

This is the risk when you recruit for the present. Two clubs went all-in last trade period by adding more mature players to an already experienced group - Geelong and St Kilda. The Cats finally looked right on the weekend, but the Saints looked awful. Again. When you bring in experience, it’s trading long-term growth for short-term gains. The Saints have had just two top-40 draft picks in the last three years and recruits like Dan Hannebery, Bradley Hill, Dan Butler, Zak Jones and Brad Crouch have all been disappointing so far in 2021. The problem then is when you don’t get those short-term gains, you’re old and bad, which is the worst thing to be in footy.

The Clown Chronicle

So King reckons its' all about first rounders, now Max reckons top 40 is the important number.

The Cats have 17 players over 27 years of age on their list, 15 of which are first choice players when available.

In comparison, we have currently have 8 players over 27 and maybe 2 or 3 of these are first choice players.

Older players unlikely to be on the list next year:
Ryder - 33 (0 games this year)
Geary - 32 (0 games this year)
Frawley - 32 (0 games this year)
McKernan - 30 (3 games this year)
Hannebery - 30 (probably can't write his contract off) (0 games this year)
Carlisle - 29 (4 games this year) (I'd keep him, but the club doesn't seem to rate him in his best spot)
Roberton - 29 (0 games this year)
Hunter - 28 (3 games this year)
Wood - 27 (1 game this year)
Kent - 27 (0 games this year)

Which would make our oldest players Ross, Webster, Hill & Crouch - all 27, we'll probably be looking for more experienced players to bring in because we'll be the youngest, least experienced list in the comp.

To liken the Cats list age profile with ours is actually cringeworthy.
It's long been the go to of the lazy journo to stick the boots into the Saints.
Personally I don't care, but for the %95 of fans and members that might not know any better it's probably contributing to our historically poor membership, along with the obvious lack of success.
Only sustained success will change the narrative.
 

The Boar

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Would take a Top 10 for Billings.
2x Top 10 midfielders is exactly what this team needs, not project forward or back flankers, genuine mids.
How St Kilda has been figured out by opposition sides in 2021
St Kilda ranks 17th for goals, ahead of only North Melbourne, and major stats differentials compared to last year are alarming. Why are they battling?

Sam Landsberger Sam Landsberger
Follow

@samlandsberger


4 min read
April 27, 2021 - 1:56PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

27 comments




FOXSPORTS2:06
Port power past sorry Saints
AFL: Port Adelaide put a beating on a sorry St Kilda side at Adelaide Oval, kicking 14 goals to the Saints' 5.



St Kilda has been urged to do everything in its power to re-sign free agent Jack Billings, despite the appeal of a possible top-five draft pick as compensation.
Billings, 25, said this month he was in no rush to talk turkey and was instead focused on playing football.
Rival clubs believe Billings is gettable, although there has only been lukewarm interest in the playmaker so far.
Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
If the Saints were to miss finals and receive “band one” compensation for Billings, they would walk away with two top-10 picks in this year’s draft.
They do not have a second-round pick and only entered the 2019 draft at pick 52 (Ryan Byrnes) and the 2020 draft at pick 26 (Matthew Allison).
However “band one” compensation would only be triggered if Billings accepted a mega contract offer in excess of $700,000 per season elsewhere, similar to Joe Daniher’s deal at Brisbane Lions.
On market value, Billings would probably command around $600,000 per season, which would generate either an end-of-first-round or second-round compensation selection.
Results
Should St Kilda let Jack Billings leave for free agency compensation?

Yes
52%

No
25%

Depends what the compensation is
23%
1,131 Voters


Bradley Hill and Jack Billings were St Kilda’s regular wingmen in the first month of the season.

Bradley Hill and Jack Billings were St Kilda’s regular wingmen in the first month of the season.
The man who recruited Billings at pick No. 3 in the 2013 draft – Chris Pelchen – said his worth to the Saints transcended on-field input.


FROM OUR PARTNERS
offnet.svg

Superstore now streaming on BINGE New customers get a 14 Day Free Trial
“Jack Billings is very much a player they can build their leadership group around over the next five or six years,” Pelchen told the Herald Sun.
“I would be hesitant to trade him out even though there would be interest – I know Essendon have had an ongoing interest in Jack – and the fact he’s a player that can be more easily covered than a key-position player like Max King or a Rowan Marshall.”
Jack Billings has a big call to make on his St Kilda future.

Jack Billings has a big call to make on his St Kilda future.
St Kilda has the AFL’s oldest list and will soon need to replace Paddy Ryder, 33, captain Jarryn Geary, 32, Dan Hannebery, 30 and Jake Carlisle, 29, in their best 22.
Veterans James Frawley, 32 and Shaun McKernan, 30, are also nearing the end.
Dylan Roberton has retired. Pelchen said Billings was needed for a “level of maturity and continuity” when those players exit Moorabbin.
Billings has managed only 14 disposals in the past two heavy defeats and has not hit the scoreboard.
Coach Brett Ratten has played Billings almost as an exclusive forward in that time, after he snapped his plantar fascia on the eve of Round 6.
Before that it was Billings the wingman, a role which has since been given to Daniel McKenzie and Josh Battle, supporting permanent winger Bradley Hill.
HOW RIVALS HAVE WORKED OUT STRUGGLING SAINTS
Brett Ratten has had his game plan unpicked this season.
That isn’t an outlandish opinion, it is the appraisal from St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross after the first six rounds.
“I think teams are playing us a little bit differently this year,” Ross said.
“Last year we were really attacking and getting the ball in deep, and kicking goals from 0-30m.
“Teams are obviously wary of that, so they force us to kick short, which is not something we want to do.
“We’re sort of starving big Maxy (King) of opportunities.”
Brett Ratten is confronting big challengers in his second season as St Kilda coach.

Brett Ratten is confronting big challengers in his second season as St Kilda coach.
The refreshing honesty came after the club’s third 50-point drubbing in four weeks. It was on the money.
Last season the Saints were ranked No. 1 for goals kicked inside 15m.
This year they are 10th. Last season the Saints only took 25 per cent of their shots from 41-50m.
This year it is 36 per cent. Last season the Saints were ranked 3rd for converting inside 50s to goals. This year they are 17th.
The Saints generated so many ‘gimmes’ last season that they couldn’t miss.
They were ranked No. 2 in the AFL for accuracy, but that has slipped to 11th in 2021.
King has managed just two goals from 0-30m after five full-length games.
Last season he booted 13 from close range in 18 shortened games.
Likewise, Dan Butler booted 21 out of his 29 majors from near the goalmouth in 2020. How many times did Butler stream into an open goal?
The Saints matched Port Adelaide’s 52 inside 50s on Sunday night, but did not get bang for buck.
“We just don’t get the scoreboard nourishment that other teams are getting,” Ratten examined.
“Our inability to score, which was a great strength of ours from an accuracy point of view and a potency point of view, has dried up.”
Brad Crouch is crunched by Tom Clurey.

Brad Crouch is crunched by Tom Clurey.
Defender Ben Long laments another St Kilda defeat.

Defender Ben Long laments another St Kilda defeat.
It’s shaping up as a dreary year. The Saints rank 17th for goals, ahead of only North Melbourne, and 17th for defence, again, ahead of only North Melbourne.
Their percentage of 67 is the club’s worst since the 2014 wooden-spoon season, and second-worst since 1985.
Former Saint Leigh Montagna said they had played just four good quarters out of 24 for the season.
Nick Dal Santo reckons they’ve “lost their spark” and their “mojo”.
Has Ratten been too forgiving at selection? Paddy Ryder will return against Hawthorn on Saturday although Bradley Hill (Achilles) will miss.
Luke Dunstan’s 46 VFL disposals might be rewarded, but there isn’t exactly a queue of elite, young talent buried beneath the surface.
The Saints have lost centre clearance by 10 in each of the past two weeks.
If captain Jack Steele or recruit Brad Crouch doesn’t win it, chances are the other team does, particularly with Jade Gresham (Achilles) out for the year.
The Saints are ranked 17th at centre bounce, compared to fourth last year.
Western Bulldogs have two of the AFL’s top five centre-bounce players – Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae – but, outside of Steele, it is hard yakka for the Saints.
“Players are trying to find a way but our style of play isn’t shining through how we’d like to,” Ratten said.
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Saints need ‘scoring nourishment’ after horror lossBig money man in the gun as injuries hit St Kilda
“The season’s a marathon but you’ve got to get going at certain stages or the time will run out.”
The Saints will start favourites against Hawthorn and Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium) before battles against Geelong and Western Bulldogs. They are on the clock.
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All l can say is articals that call us the oldest list without clarifying those old guys aren't playing are piffle.
And our center clearance stats are everything to do with the personnel we had in those first few weeks.

The rest is obvious, and I'd take a top 10 pick for Billings in a heartbeat.

Good , then we could get good compensation for the new guy when he walks in a decade.
 

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