A STANDOUT performance from Jack Billings had St Kilda coach Alan Richardson comparing the forward to Hawthorn Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli and Port Adelaide stars Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard.
Billings was sublime on Sunday night in the Saints' 31-point win against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium, picking up 30 disposals, seven inside-50s and a long-range goal.
His 11 score involvements in the first half was a sign of his potency. He finished with 12 for the game with his precise left boot often hitting teammates lace out.
Richardson said after the game those dangerous traits meant Billings would continue to spend time forward, although he indicated the No.3 selection in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft would continue to play around the contest.
"He's one of those guys, a bit like Wingard or Robbie Gray or perhaps even Cyril, those guys have real special tricks in front of the ball," Richardson said.
"There's not too many midfielders that can go forward and do what those type of players do. And they're all different.
"But we'll need him to go through the midfield. He's already done that. He was in the midfield a bit today so he'll do a bit of both."
It has been a breakout season for the 21-year-old, who is averaging 23 disposals and a goal per game.
"Jack's become a really consistent player. It was a really complete game for him today," Richardson said.
"He had eight tackles last week, I think he only had the one today, but his ability to make the most of his opportunities, to get a lot of opportunities as a forward … is really good.
"His ability to be able to win the ball in contest has improved and that's a testament to him and the work he's doing with (Aaron) Hamill and (Adam) Kingsley, his line coaches."
WATCH: Outstanding Billings' dynamic display
Inaccurate goalkicking plagued St Kilda as it struggled to put away the Suns. Mav Weller, Jade Gresham, Josh Bruce and Jack Steven combined for 2.9, with Gresham guilty of a particularly poor attempt when he tried to dribble one through while running in on an angle close to the goals, but missing everything.
"The moments that are most frustrating are when the guys don't get reward for their hard work," Richardson said.
"I don't know how many goals we missed from the goalsquare. It might only be one.
"That's the part that's most frustrating. You tend not to get caught up in that as a coach. It's 'righto, we've missed an opportunity, let's defend their next play'."
Key forward Paddy McCartin was concussed in the VFL on Saturday and while he failed the overall concussion test, he passed one section of it.
The Saints are unsure whether he will be fit for next week.
"We'll just have to wait and see how he pulls up. The doctors, at this really early stage, are really happy with the way Paddy responded," Richardson said.
"In fact, he passed the 'cog state' test at the game. It was just that the doctors thought that he (should) rest for the remainder of the game."
WATCH Alan Richardson full post-match press conference
The coach allayed fears about the number of concussions McCartin has had, with the latest his sixth since 2014. Three of those came in 2016, the last of which was in round 15.
"My understanding is, given that there's been such a gap between the last knock (and Saturday's concussion), there's no real issue there," Richardson said.
St Kilda moved into eighth spot with a 7-6 record and a percentage of 98. Next up is a trip to Western Australia for a Sunday clash with Fremantle, which has lost four consecutive matches.
