Billy LONGER

2017 Digest:   Going very well in the ruck. Fitter than last year when he was coming off shoulder reco.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1		–
2		–
3		Senior emergency.
4	VFL	Good even duel with Bellchambers when in the ruck. Looks in better form already than what he showed last year.	–
5	Geel	Drew even with Smith but neither had a huge say in the contest. One kick and eight hit-outs to advantage.	5
6	Haw	Poor defensively on McEvoy at stages but competed in ruck to win hitout duel. All disposals were handballs.	5
7	GWS	Took the battle to Mumford in a pleasing effort. Faded as game dragged on but his effort should not underestimated.	6
8	Carl	Won the hit outs but was smashed by Kruezer around the ground. Failed to take a mark.	3
9	Syd	Had the numbers in overall hit-outs but didn’t make a big impact around the ground.	4
10	WB	With 55 hitouts dominated the ruck duels and also worked hard in packs.	7
11		Bye.
12	Adel	Toiled bravery in ruck against Sam Jacobs, sharing the honours.	5
13	NM	Never gave up but Goldstein was far more effective in all departments of the ruck duel.	4
14	GCS	Battled on but the bigger Witts had the edge.	3
15	Frem	Good job in the ruck which gave St Kilda a clearance advantage.	6
16	Rich	Thoroughly towelled up Nankervis in the ruck and kicked a rare goal.	7
17		Hamstring.
18	Syd	Lion hearted effort in ruck and gave his midfielders chances if they could capitalise.	6
19	Port	Battled hard in ruck but lowered his colours to the in-form Ryder.	4
20	WCE	Dominated ruck duels with 51 hit-outs. Uncompromising display	7
21	Melb	Got the better of Gawn in the ruck and frustrated the Demons big man. Tired a bit late.	8
22	NM	Stood his ground against big North rucks and won the most hit-outs of anybody on the field.	6
23	Rich	Probably Saints’ best. Gave great effort throughout and one of few to play consistently; 12 disposals.	7

2016 Season

1		Shoulder.
2		Played in VFL trial against Williamstown.
3	VFL	Took the majority of the taps in ruck. Had 28 hit-outs and was OK without starring.	–
4	VFL.	Bye.	–
5	VFL	Had 17 hitouts in rucks stints and pushed forward for a goal.	–
6	VFL	OK, but didn’t dominate in ruck and resting in attack.	–
7	VFL	OK in the ruck without dominating against Witts. Steady.	–
8	VFL	Ordinary outing opposed to Spencer in ruck. Smacked in hit-outs.	–
9	VFL	The best of the Zebras’ rucks with 32 hit-outs but quiet around ground.	–
10	VFL	Bye.	–
11		Concussion.
12		Concussion.
13		Concussion.
14		Concussion.
15		Concussion.
16	VFL	Couldn’t influence the game up forward and in the ruck.	–
17	VFL	Dominated in the ruck with 60 hit-outs, but failed to take a single mark.	–
18	VFL	Rucked and played as a loose behind the play. Marked well at times.	–
19		Didn’t play for Sandringham.
20	VFL	Had 20 hitouts as main ruckman, but failed to take a single mark.	–
21	VFL	Worked hard in ruck and around the ground opposed to Pittonet.	–
22	VFL	Had 21 hitouts, but recorded just four handballs.	–
23	VFL	Lowered colors to Preuss in ruck battle. Struggling.	–

2015 Season

1	GWS	Outmuscled by Mumford but never stopped trying in ruck.	5
2	GCS	Smith slaughtered him in ruck duels early but he persisted and became a key.	6
3	Coll	Not much difference in hit-outs but Grundy much better around ground.	4
4	Carl	Held sway in ruck duels and one of better Saints.	7
5	Ess	Won ruck duels but not a big factor around the ground.	5
6	WB	Gave onballers first use in ruck contests against Cordy. Big mark late to settle game.	7
7	Adel	Made his presence felt and made Jacobs work hard all game.	5
8	WCE	Had to work hard against the athletic Naitanui but stuck to his guns.	5
9	Bris	Battled in unsuitable conditions and although beaten didn’t concede ground.	4
10	Haw	Usual grinding game in ruck.	5
11	Melb	Honest and workmanlike in ruck battle with Gawn.	6
13	WB	Clear-cut best ruckman on the ground	6
14	Ess	Terrific game both in ruck contests and taking more marks around ground.	7
15	GWS	Dominated ruck duels and OK around ground. Reported for striking.	6
16	Rich	Beaten overall by Tiger ruck duet.	4
17	Melb	Had to work against Gawn and Saints struggled when he was off in second.	5
18	Port	Quiet even before he copped a heavy knock and was subbed off at half time.	3
19		Soreness.
20	NM	Couldn’t counter Goldstein, the competition’s in-form ruckman.	3
21		Shoulder.
22		Shoulder.
23		Shoulder.

2014 Season

1	PM	Rucked in tandem with Holmes and played forward. OK.	–
2	PM	Started late due to being an emergency for Saints but was dominant.	–
3		Senior emergency.
4	Adel	Youngster came in for injured Hickey. Beaten by Jacobs in ruck but good signs.	5
5	VFL	Didn’t have things all his own way against Wallace. Just fair.	–
6	VFL	Beaten in the ruck by Gawn and Fitzpatrick.	–
7	Haw	Coach saw some upside in his game but needs to do more.	3
8	Carl	Not enough of the ball early. Asserted himself in second quarter but tailed off.	3
9	GCS	Won most hit-outs of anyone, but input around ground was minimal.	3
11	Coll	Should have made more of playing against fellow young ruck. OK in hit-outs.	3
12	Port	Well beaten by Lobbe who dominated the hit-outs.	3
13	Geel	Outmuscled and out-rucked by Simpson.	2
14	WCE	Didn’t let Naitanui dominate, which was a plus.	4
15	Rich	Showed willingness to work hard and tackled strongly. Held own in ruck.	6
16	Carl	Strove hard in contests with Warnock.	5
17	VFL	OK in ruck but continues to struggle to find ball at ground level.	–
18	Frem	Back in for injured Hickey and jousted well with Clarke.	5
19	GCS	Clear winner in ruck and had one of his best games for Saints.	6
20	WB	Minson shaded him in ruck but showed a few good signs.	4
21	Syd	Beaten in ruck and had little impact around the field.	3
22	Rich	Competed solidly with Maric and prepared to lay tackles.	4
23	Adel	Not his greatest day and outpointed by Jacobs before being subbed off.	2
QF		–
SF		–
PF		–
GF		–

2013 Season

Played for : Brisbane

1	WB	OK in ruck contests but had minimal impact around field.	6
2	NEAFL	Dominated ruck, great physical presence all day.	–
3	NEAFL	Controlled ruck, good tap work, kicked a goal.	–
4		Senior emergency.
5	Melb	Rucked in tandem with Leuenberger. Gave away a few silly frees early. OK.	5
6	Syd	Spent a lot of time forward with minimal impact. Just OK in the ruck.	4
7	NEAFL	Bye.	–
8		Rested.
9	NEAFL	Big game. Won a stack of hitouts and was monumental in the last quarter.	–
10	Coll	As lead ruck couldn’t match Jolly’s strength.	3
12	NEAFL	Won a lot of hit outs and was a real physical presence.	–
13		Rested.
14	NEAFL	Dominated hit outs, and was a big physical presence.	–
15	NEAFL	Dominant game in the ruck.	–
16	NEAFL	Dominated hit outs, could win more disposals.	–
17		Injured.
18	NEAFL	Bye.	–
19	NEAFL	Dominated ruck, solid around the ground.	–
20	NEAFL	Best afield with 31 touches, nine tackles, two goals.	–
21	NEAFL	Lots of hitouts, marked well around the ground	–
22	NEAFL	Bye.	–
23	NEAFL	Serviceable effort carrying the rucking load.	–
QF
SF	NEAFL	Rucked fairly well and pressed forward to kick a goal. 40 hitouts.	–
PF	NEAFL	Solid in ruck, but was lacking around the ground.	–
GF

2012 Season

Played for : Brisbane

1	NEAFL	Strong showing but was reported in the second term.	–
2	NEAFL	Rotated through the ruck. Solid effort.	–
3	Frem	Had to ruck against Sandilands for most of the game. Tough debut.	4
4	NEAFL	Rucked well and spent time forward.	–
5	NEAFL	Solid game in the ruck. Battled hard in the wet.	–
6	Ess	Tried hard in the aerials battles early but was completely overwhelmed.	1
7	Coll	Competed well in the ruck. Still gaining confidence at ground level	5
8	GWS	Worked hard but did not impose himself on the game.	5
9	NM	Lead ruckman at start. Won his share of taps until last quarter.	4
12	NEAFL	Rucked fairly but looked a bit proppy late.	–
14	NEAFL	Gave the Lions onballers first use from the opening bounce.	–
15	NEAFL	OK against White in the ruck.	–
16	NEAFL	Copped a heavy knock to the head but all is OK.	–
18	NEAFL	Worked hard in the ruck. Tap work was good.	–
21	NEAFL	Rucked fairly well and got his hands on the ball a bit.	–
22	NEAFL	Controlled the ruck in win over Southport.	–
23	NEAFL	Shaded Tyrell in the ruck giving onballers first use.	–
SF	NEAFL	Battled hard in the ruck. Just shaded but effort huge.	–