Jack Billings Collingwood, St Kilda contract, Western Bulldogs, little interest in player

Top 10 recruit Jack Billings looks more likely to stay at St Kilda, despite rival clubs showing little interest in the contracted player.

Billings, who is tied to the Saints until the end of 2025, had a frustrating 2023 campaign, playing just three AFL matches this year due to leg, hamstring and thumb problems, as well as ‘tight competition for spots among the Saints’ top 22. played eight VFL matches for Sandringham, averaging 22.4 disposals per outing.

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright reported last week that his club had “mild interest” in Billings, but the Magpies on Monday parted ways with Pick 34 and their future first-rounder to acquire Lachie Schultz from Fremantle.

Watch every match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup live on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

When asked on Monday evening if Collingwood had any further deals planned, Wright replied AFL Commercial Radio: “You never say never. I would have thought it would be difficult for us now, but we are open-minded.

“We certainly don’t have any other players per se that we’re looking at.”

Billings, who was taken by the Saints with pick 3 in the 2013 draft, has also been linked to the Western Bulldogs.

But speaking on Fox Footy Trading day, Sun Herald Journalist Jon Ralph has indicated that there is not much love from rival clubs for Billing at the moment.

“There is no interest at the moment,” said Ralph Trading day. “He earns over $500,000 a year – I think St Kilda would be willing to foot part of that bill.

“Here’s the problem for Ross Lyon: If you’re really mad at him – and I think Paul Connors, his manager has talked about Ross maybe not giving him a chance – what’s the point of keeping him on? the list ? If you can have a choice for him and if you have to pay $400,000 of that $550,000 – they have a cap – can you find him a place to live?

NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST – Winners and losers from the first trading period; who doesn’t move?

Listen below or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

But three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo said he would have “no problem” with Billings remaining at the Saints.

“It’s a buyer’s market and if no one wants to pay the $550,000 price tag – or pay him some and the Saints put the rest away – the option is ‘no’ and he stays,” said Dal Santo. Trading day.

“I think he’s very talented. He has a skillet and can use the ball like few others.

“I think he might persist. I would have no problem with him staying at the Saints and working hard to find a place on the team. He’s riddled with injuries, that’s the other thing.

Ralph suggested Fremantle could be a good fit for Billings given the Dockers have just lost a half-forward (Schultz) and a winger (Liam Henry) and cleared around $1 million from their wage bill.

But Dal Santo suggested that if the Dockers had liked Billings, his name would have come up during negotiations between Henry and the Saints.

“So surely this ship would have sailed?” Said Dal Santo.