ST KILDA forward Jack Billings made a "cheeky" attempt at recruiting Greater Western Sydney gun Josh Kelly to the Saints when the two sides met earlier this year.
Kelly comes out of contract at the end of season and Billings said at Sandringham on Tuesday he spoke to the Giant after the Saints won by 23 points in round seven.
"I had a cheeky word to him at the end of the game and just said, 'What are you thinking?'," Billings said.
"He's obviously really happy at the Giants, and why wouldn't you be, they're big premiership contenders."
Kelly was drafted second in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, with Billings selected a pick later.
The pair played together as juniors and Billings wants that to happen again.
"It would be nice. Obviously I grew up playing in all the rep sides with Josh. I know him really well and his family and he's flying this year," Billings said.
"It's been good to see him play well. You never know, there's obviously a few teams chasing him.
"I'd love him in the Saints colours next year."
Similarly, Billings has not yet signed up for 2018 but contract talks have started between his manager Paul Connors and the club.
Billings has no doubts about staying at the Saints.
"(We'll) hopefully get something done pretty soon. I love the club and it's obviously exciting times," Billings said.
Not missing a session through the pre-season and spending more time in the forward line, with short stints each quarter in the midfield, has allowed Billings to play the best footy of his 54-game career.
He finished with 18 disposals and kicked 2.4 last Friday in the win against North Melbourne in a game he wore a black armband for his grandmother who recently passed away.
Despite his reputation as a beautiful left-foot kick, converting goals has been an issue for Billings. Last year he booted 6.12 and is tracking at 13.17 this season.
He said he was unsure what the issue was with his conversion.
"I wish I knew the answer. Sometimes you probably try too hard and overthink it. If there's someone 50m away, with field kicking, more times than not you'd hit it," he said.
"It's something I've got to keep working on."
Comparisons to Marcus Bontempelli, who was selected straight after him in the draft, have followed Billings throughout his career.
The 21-year-old was philosophical about the scrutiny.
"Every player's journey is a little bit different. It's hard to compare. I'm only still young and into my fourth year. I look at it that way and I've still got a lot of improvement left," Billings said.
"I can't really control what other people say, I can just go about my business as best I can."
