ST KILDA has re-signed Jack Billings for two more years, with the young ball-winner committed to driving the club back into finals as part of an emerging group of leaders.
Billings, who was due to come out of contract at the end of this season, has committed to the Saints until the end of 2019.
The young star, who turns 22 on Friday, said his undoubted commitment to the club meant there had been no rush to re-sign as he prioritised building form in what has been a career-best season.
"I wasn't ever stressed or worried about it because I'm just really committed to the club," Billings said in Seaford on Thursday.
"There wasn't much talk about it in the media either, because I made my intentions pretty clear.
"The main thing was I wanted to get a bit of form up this year, but also I'm just so committed to the club … so there was no real rush.
"My manager felt that way and obviously the club did as well."
Recruited with pick No.3 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, Billings has averaged a career-best 22.7 possessions and four inside 50s a game this season, also kicking 20 goals as a damaging half-forward.
The young star acknowledged his goalkicking accuracy needed work after kicking 32 behinds, however, with the Saints struggling to capitalise on their opportunities this season.
"It's frustrating and it's something I'm working on, but it's one of those things, it's easy to have 50-100 shots during the week but during a game you are really fatigued," Billings said.
"So it's about implementing it during training after a drill when I'm really fatigued, [and practicing] in match conditions as much as I can.
"My field kicking has been pretty strong, I just haven't been able to execute, but I'm going to keep going for them and hopefully I can turn it around."
Regarded as one of the young players who can drive elite standards at Seaford, Billings said the Saints were determined to take the next step after Sunday's loss to Melbourne all but ended their finals chances.
He said the club's improvement would come from within as a core group of young players took the next step in their careers.
"First and foremost we were pretty disappointed on the weekend," Billings said.
"We're going to really focus over the summer on all parts of our game, especially defensively.
"We think we can get a lot better in that area and I think the improvement is going to come from within. Just guys taking their games to the next level and standing up.
"Obviously 'Rooey' (Nick Riewoldt) and 'Joey' (Leigh Montagna) have played a massive part in that and I think it's time that younger guys put their hand up."
Still sporting a black eye after he was poked in the early stages of Sunday's loss to the Dees, Billings said it was going to be strange not to have the retiring Riewoldt around in 2018.
He expected the champion forward to be available for his tribute game against North Melbourne after Riewoldt missed the Demons clash because of concussion.
