Traded Billy Longer (2012-2013)

[Dylan12]

Billy Longer's absence for Brisbane against West Coast on Saturday was also telling and Voss may bring him back for the clash against the second-placed Bombers.

 

[lionshine]

After seeing how big an affect Leuy tiring in the 4th quarter had on the game, Longer is definitely somebody I would be bringing back into the team. Either that or Lisle has to go out as soon as possible with Merrett shifting forward/Ruck relief.

 

[cotter101]

After seeing how big an affect Leuy tiring in the 4th quarter had on the game, Longer is definitely somebody I would be bringing back into the team. Either that or Lisle has to go out as soon as possible with Merrett shifting forward/Ruck relief.

Was only his sixth game back since missing a year of football. And he was also against the best ruck duo in the competition. I don't think he will tire like that most weeks. I'd rather keep Longer back in the reserves playing forward to let him work on that part of the game and let Michael play in the ruck to work on that part of his game.

 

[lionshine]

Was only his sixth game back since missing a year of football. And he was also against the best ruck duo in the competition. I don't think he will tire like that most weeks. I'd rather keep Longer back in the reserves playing forward to let him work on that part of the game and let Michael play in the ruck to work on that part of his game.

I understand that and that is exactly why I think he should get some relief until he has 12 or so games under his belt in his return from injury when his match fitness levels are up to his required standard.

 

[cotter101]

I understand that and that is exactly why I think he should get some relief until he has 12 or so games under his belt in his return from injury when his match fitness levels are up to his required standard.

Fair call lionshine.

 

[cotter101]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-17/rival-clubs-circle-uncontracted-lion-cubs

South Australian Jared Polec and Victorian trio Sam Docherty, Billy Longer and Patrick Karnezis are out of contract at the end of this season and have attracted the interest of clubs in their home states.

The four players, all first-round draft picks in the last three seasons, have struggled to break into the Lions side on a consistent basis to the surprise of astute judges.

Longer was the Lions' first pick (number eight overall) at the 2011 NAB AFL Draft and has managed eight senior appearances.

 

[Dylan12]

Rather than dwelling on the negative, Voss said the latest setback would provide another good opportunity for the Club to get some valuable game time into 19-year-old big man Billy Longer.

“Billy (Longer) still has got some work to do, but at the same time he’ll step up to the challenge for us no doubt,” Voss said. “He’s had plenty of games under his belt, and has played 3-4 games already this year.

“It’s like for like for us. Leuey’s been playing predominantly 80-90% in the ruck, and that’s what we’ll be asking Billy to do. “We’re very confident that he come in and do the job we’re asking him to do. He’ll be going up against a good ruckman in Darren Jolly and we have to make sure we get a good, competitive and honest effort.”

Whilst we have no other choice, we're still asking a lot of an 8 gamer against Jolly and/or Hudson.

Not to mention, Billy's back up, Jordan Lisle has only played 13 senior games.

 

[Dylan12]

Reserves Wrap

Harding also heaped praise on best-on-ground Jack Crisp and ruckman Billy Longer’s efforts.

“Billy (Longer’s) last quarter was phenomenal. He got his hands on the ball at stoppages, and there was a time he even chased a bloke down, got his hands on him and skewed the kick.

“He also took a Leo Barry-type mark taken at a critical moment of the game.

 

[Dylan12]

Billy Longer, 20, will be asked to be the main ruckman against Collingwood veteran and dual premiership player Darren Jolly.

"We're investing in Billy. He'll step up,'' Voss said.

 

[Dylan12]

As expected, Longer will replace Leuenberger in the ruck and faces the mountainous task of containing Pies veteran Darren Jolly.

Brisbane utility Brent Staker backed Longer.

"Billy is a roommate of mine so I've kept a close eye on him for a while and he's ready to step in and fill in for Leuey," Staker said.

 

[Last of the Roys]

Longer has still got a long way to go to match it with the best ruckmen in the league. Jolly gave him an absolute hiding in the first half on Friday night.

I thought Longer got better as the match went on and started to show more aggression (although every time he did that the umps pinged him despite it being no worse than what Jolly was doing all night).

He needs to work on two things desperately:
- first and foremost is his fitness in terms of his ability to get around the ground. You have to have that these days, but he is currently nowhere near good enough at it.
- secondly he needs to bring aggression to the ruck contest and the game in general for a full four quarter effort and then replicate that week in week out.

He is still only young but we desperately need him to step up.

 

[Caiphus]

I was wondering whether he was losing the ball in the lights on Friday night, and whether that is why he seems to jump a bit to early?

 

[Grimreepah]

Longer has still got a long way to go to match it with the best ruckmen in the league. Jolly gave him an absolute hiding in the first half on Friday night.

I thought Longer got better as the match went on and started to show more aggression (although every time he did that the umps pinged him despite it being no worse than what Jolly was doing all night).

He needs to work on two things desperately:
- first and foremost is his fitness in terms of his ability to get around the ground. You have to have that these days, but he is currently nowhere near good enough at it.
- secondly he needs to bring aggression to the ruck contest and the game in general for a full four quarter effort and then replicate that week in week out.

He is still only young but we desperately need him to step up.

Yeah, the rucks usually break fairly even, but in this game Jolly was giving his midfielders the ball on a platter. Longer strikes me as someone who will learn from a hiding, rather than have his confidence shattered. So I'm quite comfortable in persisting with him in the seniors.

 

[Lace Out]

I'm prepared for him to improve 1% per game so in 3 years he should be pretty handy.

 

[Dylan12]

On Brisbane's list GWS may fancy Billy Longer, who is anchored behind Matthew Leuenberger in the Lions ruck division. Although the Giants overlooked him in the 2011 draft, he is a player of the future.

Personally, can't see that happening.

 

[Haso]

Lions sack Voss to stop player walkout
August 13 2013
Andrew Hamilton

The Lions were facing a player crisis with Billy Longer, Sam Docherty, Jared Polec, James Polkinghorne and Patrick Karnezis all expressing a desire to be traded. There had been strong murmurs that senior players such as Tom Rockliff had also become frustrated with Voss.

 

[Last of the Roys]

I know it is only a Hammo article, but Longer's name surprised me (along with Docherty and Rockliff of course).

Does anyone think that Billy would be thinking that he has been hard done by so far in his career and wants to be traded? That would really shock me if he does think that.

IMO while he has great promise, he simply doesn't have the tank to match it at AFL level over four quarters yet. While he is getting closer to selection at the moment (with Martin not playing well and Longer going OK in the reserves), I don't think he has been hard done by this year.

 

[chopperduck]

Classic Hack article. No ruckman would be seeking a trade after what, 2 seasons from not enough game time.

 

[Ironmonger]

I'm a little surprised that he wasn't selected to play GWS. The Giants play two ruckmen, and we're undersized. Wasn't even named as an emergency. He's not injured, is he?

 

[iBeng]

I'm a little surprised that he wasn't selected to play GWS. The Giants play two ruckmen, and we're undersized. Wasn't even named as an emergency. He's not injured, is he?

Didnt want to tempt GWS to much to chase him by showing them how awesome he is.

 

[pulpdriver]

I'm a little surprised that he wasn't selected to play GWS. The Giants play two ruckmen, and we're undersized. Wasn't even named as an emergency. He's not injured, is he?

Wouldn't worry, Tom. He's a 2nd year ruck in a team that already has a ruckman in the top 3 in the league. No biggie if he we leave him in the 2s to develop. More time in the forward half is all I want, regardless of the level.

 

[PrideIsInstinctive]

Give Longer time, will be a very good 1,2 combo with Leuy in 3-5 years.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Feel like Billy's value to our team will eventually come down to how much he can provide up forward. Sadly, signs so far would suggest the answer to that is not much.

 

[SizeMatters]

I wonder if the rumoured frustration with Voss has been from a discussion they might have had with using Longer as trade bait to get pick 1.

 

[PrideIsInstinctive]

I wonder if the rumoured frustration with Voss has been from a discussion they might have had with using Longer as trade bait to get pick 1.

Reckon its more so that he keeps getting dropped. Either give him an extended run in the 2s to build confidence or just keep giving shoving games down Longer's throat as backup to Leuy. Getting dropped so often isn't fun.