DO NOT be fooled by his baby face and easygoing smile, Jack Billings is as determined as ever to help propel St Kilda up the ladder.And while the young Saint accepts 2014 was a year of development, he firmly expects his young teammates to take a step up next season.“It was good that a lot of young guys got a fair amount of opportunity this year, playing a fair few games,” Billings told SAINTS.com.au following the news that he has re-signed until the end of 2017 as part of #SaintsFutureFest. “I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years and seeing how we can develop and progress as a young group.”

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The teenager is the 19th young Saint to re-commit over the past four weeks, illustrating the clear direction the club has taken.A highly touted junior, Billings enjoyed a remarkably good season despite a string of injuries last summer.“I’m rapt to have signed on for another two years and am really looking forward to the next few years. Hopefully we can climb back up the ladder,” he said.“There are a lot of young boys now at the club and already we are starting to gel really well together. We are pretty close off the field which is good and that will only strengthen as the years go on.”

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Billings played 16 senior games in his debut season after he was taken with the number three draft selection last November.In round 14 against West Coast the talented left-footer earned a NAB Rising Star nomination after gathering 25 possessions at 100 per cent disposal efficiency.

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“I’m really thankful and I guess grateful that I’ve been able to play some senior footy. I’ve just really enjoyed it and getting exposed at senior level has been really good for me. Hopefully we can keep building with all the young guys for next year,” he said.“It’s been awesome so far.”With Lenny Hayes retiring and St Kilda’s changing of the guard already in full transition mode, the 19-year-old suggested he would welcome some extra leadership responsibilities in 2015, even if it was in an unofficial capacity.“I’m really looking forward to having some new young guys around. I won’t be the youngest so I won’t be picked on as much,” he joked.“I will definitely pass on some advice that I’ve learned this year and help them as much as I can.”

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Head of Football Chris Pelchen said he couldn't wait to watch Billings develop into a highly damaging and prolific ball-winner.“Jack promises to be an important part of the St Kilda team for many years to come,” Pelchen told SAINTS.com.au.“His obvious ability provides the opportunity to play various roles for the club in the future."

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One of these roles, according to senior coach Alan Richardson, is as a fully-fledged midfielder.“Jack will push into the centre as his body matures,” Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.“He’s an outstanding decision maker and executor and we expect him to improve significantly with his first full pre-season. A strong and challenging period in the gym will hold him in good stead.”