Jack Billings set to sign new two-year deal, helping St Kilda boost Josh Kelly trade bid

ST KILDA midfielder Jack Billings is set to ink a new deal to stay at club following protracted contract talks in a move that is sure to boost the Saints’ Josh Kelly pursuit.

Jack Billings kicked the winning goal against West Coast.

ST KILDA will lock away one of its most damaging players with star midfielder Jack Billings set to sign a two-year deal.

The Herald Sun can reveal the No.3 draft pick has agreed to stay at Seaford until at least the end of 2019 after a career-best season.

There were increasing fears Billings could be vulnerable to a poaching raid with protracted talks unable to secure his signature through the middle part of the season.

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But a new deal to keep the 21-year-old (he turns 22 on Friday) is imminent, with Billings fully committed to helping lead the Saints’ charge back into the finals.

Captain Jarryn Geary also re-signed until the end of 2019.

Rival clubs have given up all hope of tempting Billings, from Oakleigh, into a shock club switch.

Jack Billings celebrates a goal for St Kilda.

In an added boost, the slick ball-winner is a close friend of Greater Western Sydney gun midfielder Josh Kelly, who the Saints are desperate to land in the exchange period.

Kelly, who is third favourite to win the Brownlow Medal ($15) with TAB, has put off contract talks until the end of the season as the Giants push towards their first premiership.

St Kilda is determined to add to its midfield stocks and land another classy prime mover in October.

The Saints could not afford to lose Billings whose speed and polish provides an attacking edge to a midfield brigade including tough ball-winners Seb Ross, Jack Steven, Luke Dunstan, David Armitage and Koby Stevens.

Josh Kelly gets a handball away against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

Billings canvassed his enormous potential booting five goals to go with 30 possessions in the Round 8 win over Carlton, underlining his status as one of the competition’s most talented young goal kicking midfielders.

The 62-gamer has also brushed aside any concerns over a knee injury from his junior days, playing every senior match this season.

The ace youngster has averaged 23 possessions a game, ranked fifth at the club. However his radar has been off this season, kicking 20 goals 32 behinds for the year.

Billings kicked the match-winner against West Coast in Round 20 to help keep the Saints’ slim finals hopes alive.