Track report: Jack Billings provides update on Jack Higgins and Dan Hannebery after St Kilda training

Jack Billings is excited by what recruit Jack Higgins and Dan Hannebery are showing on the track as the Saints eye a top four finish this year.

Scott Pendlebury in action as the Magpies returned to training. Picture: Getty Images

St Kilda forward Jack Billings believes Richmond recruit Jack Higgins will give the Saints a “different look” in 2021 as they push towards securing a top four berth.

Higgins, who was sporting the No.22 jumper at training on Wednesday, joined the Saints at the end of last season following 43 games in the yellow and black.

He has been training with the forwards but Billings said he expected his new teammate to also push into the engine room this season.

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“Higgo has fitted in really well,” he said.

“He’s come from a great footy club and a successful program the last few years at Richmond.

“Just from training a few sessions with him now, you can just tell he has a lot of ability and reads the game and he has great skills.

“I see him playing that sort of high forward role and he’s got the ability to hit the scoreboard, which we’ve seen so far from him.

“And then to potentially move up the ground as he’s got a good engine, so he could potentially give us a different look at times through the middle.”

Jack Higgins has settled in at the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

Billings also declared Dan Hannebery was in top shape despite the former Swan not taking part in Wednesday’s training session at Moorabbin.

He’s played just 13 games for the club since crossing from Sydney at the end of 2018, with hamstring and soft-tissue injuries proving an ongoing nuisance.

“Hanners is flying,” Billings said.

“As we know, his running capacity is one of his great strengths and I think we saw that first day back last week in the time trial (which he won).

“A lot of the boys get managed depending on the week (in the pre-season) and he’s someone we’ve got to look after with his history the last couple of years but the main thing is just making sure he’s available and ready for a long season.”

The Saints enjoyed strong improvement in 2020 by winning a final for the first time in 10 years.

Billings said the club was hungry to build on that when the new year gets underway.

“It was exciting to make the finals and win that first one, but every year is different and there are no guarantees for us this year just because we took that step last year,” he said.

“We’ve got to earn it and improve.”

Signs chiselled De Goey ready to tear rivals apart

- Marc McGowan

Collingwood became one of the last clubs on Friday to resume after Christmas, but wasted no time putting its players under the pump.

After a headline-laden trade period dominated, in particular, by Adam Treloar’s messy exit, the Magpies were back at work, albeit in smaller groups because of the COVID-19 restrictions.

There was plenty to see first-up, from the up-and-about experienced crew to exciting kids looking ready to blossom – plus those who are taking it slightly easier.

Here are five observations from Collingwood’s return to the track.

Jordan Roughead and Jack Madgen go head-to-head in a ruck contest. Picture: Getty Images

DE GOEY IN MID-SEASON FORM

A hamstring injury that kept Jordan De Goey out of the 2019 preliminary final – and saw him make a dash to Germany – meant Collingwood was conservative with one of its biggest stars last pre-season. The shackles look like they’ve been removed on Friday’s evidence. A chiselled De Goey presented in terrific shape, dwarfing some of his teammates in body size but running as well as everyone bar Will Kelly. He even snuck in a session before Christmas, so he’s not stuffing around. After long deliberations, the Pies announced he had re-signed for two more years in December. Maybe, just maybe, De Goey is ready to tear the competition apart.

SON OF ‘NED’ PUTS HAND UP

Will Kelly forced his way into Collingwood’s senior side with bulk goals in the scratch games, then looked promising in his debut against Hawthorn in Round 6. However, Kelly’s first game is best known for the fracture he sustained above his left elbow. He underwent surgery and didn’t play another match, but he’s sure to add to his tally in 2021. Kelly was a picture of fitness as he streeted the rest of his teammates in a shuttle run – lapping a couple of them – with Jordan De Goey and Jamie Elliott coming in next. At 194cm, with an excellent aerobic base, the 20-year-old might be able to slot in as the third tall, alongside Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox – rather than having to displace one of them. Big Max Lynch was another to impress in the shuttle run in a later group.

THE BOYS ON A MODIFIED PROGRAM

Collingwood ran its first session back across three phases, with the last group on modified duties. That group included Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe, Josh Daicos, the Browns – Callum and Tyler – Darcy Cameron and Trey Ruscoe. The Pies said big-name pair Brodie Grundy and Steele Sidebottom weren’t at training because of other commitments.

CODE-CROSSERS’ TIME TO SHINE?

Collingwood won the race for Tom Wilson’s signature in 2019 after he decided to turn his back on a promising basketball career. Last year was Wilson’s first full crack at it, but the COVID-19 situation didn’t create a great chance for him to develop. At 23, he now has an AFL-ready body – he looks completely different to when he first lobbed at the Magpies – and there are more openings in the team after the post-season clean-out. Nathan Murphy, who chose football over cricket, will be another one to watch in what will be his fourth season in the AFL.

Nathan Buckley helps Mason Cox with his GPS tracker. Picture: Getty Images

THE HEAT WAS ON EARLY

Collingwood fitness boss Kevin White wasn’t stuffing around on Friday. Melbourne turned up the volume on a mild summer and the Pies made sure their players were sweating at Olympic Park.

A shuttle run tested some more than others, but that was merely part of a two-hour-plus session for each group. The Sherrins came out, but there was a clear focus on running and fitness as Collingwood’s post-Christmas preparation kicked off.

Coach Nathan Buckley was there from go-to-whoa, but in a back-seat role as his assistants led training.