Billy Longer Live Chat transcript
Read what Billy Longer had to say when he performed a 30-minute live chat
Please find below an edited transcript from what was said during the Q&A session.
Billy Longer: Hey all, Billy Longer here! Let’s get this started.
Nat: Hi Billy, how have you found the move from Melbourne?
Billy Longer: Been great so far, am loving the weather. I’ve thrown out all my jumpers since.
Travis: Hey Billy, has Charmo tried to get you on Footy Fix yet?
Billy Longer: Not just yet sadly, though I love the show. Hopefully I'll make my Footy Fix debut soon!
Brendan: Hey mate, great couple of games you've played. If for some reason you didn't play AFL, what would you be doing?
Billy Longer: Thanks Brendan, to be honest I have no idea at the moment. I was thinking police force or teaching for a while there.
Ben: Hi Billy, what was it like competing against the biggest bloke in the AFL - Aaron Sandilands - in your first game?
Billy Longer: What can I say, he's a huge man. It wasn't an easy day in the office. Especially with Leuenberger's injury, it made things all the more interesting.
Rohan: Hi Billy, VERY impressed with what you've shown as a first year player and stoked to have you on board. What are the main things the coaching staff have you working on?
Billy Longer: Cheers Rohan, as of now I've been doing a lot of contested work (marking & ruckwork) with Charmo. Always fun pushing around the old big dog.
Scott: Hey Billy, how did you get so tall?
Billy Longer: My old man and mum are both reasonably tall themselves, but perhaps it's something in the water.
JK: You said in an interview that prior to being drafted you practiced Muay Thai to strengthen your core. Are you still practicing this and who is the physically strongest ruckman you have found yourself up against?
Billy Longer: Muay Thai was something I loved doing during the pre-season as a junior. But now with the strength & conditioning staff monitoring everything, for me it's safe to say my kickboxing days are over.
Alex: Hey Billy, love your work! Has it been tough, getting thrown into the 1's in your first year?
Billy Longer: Hey Alex, to be honest it’s been far from easy, but I love the game and am enjoying the experience.
Luke: Hey Billy! How do you like living with Leuey? Do you miss your mum's cooking much or is he teaching you a trick or two?
Billy Longer: Hey Luke, Sadly I'm not housing with the big man anymore, but even though he's a fancier cook than my mum, I definitely do miss her cooking!
Tom: Hey Billy, being new to the club who have you found to be the most annoying?
Billy Longer: Banfield - his red hair gets the best of him sometimes.
Katie: Hi Billy, do you have a girlfriend?
Billy Longer: Living the single life as of now Katie, but who knows what the future has in store.
Jackie: Hey Billy! Do you do much work up in the forward line or are you a pure ruckman?
Billy Longer: At the moment, I'm spending a lot of time trying to learn the forward craft which has been interesting to say the least.
Sophie: Hiiiiiiiiii Billy! What kind of music do you like?
Billy Longer: Whatever Triple J has playing usually does it for me.
Tim: Hi Billy, what has been the most challenge part of joining an AFL club?
Billy Longer: The hours, it's been a huge leap going from a year 12 student to a full time athlete. Oh, and the early mornings are pretty challenging themselves.
Matt: Hi Billy, what would your advice be for young ruckman aspiring to make AFL?
Billy Longer: You can never practise your craft enough, body strength and fitness go hand in hand with the position. Oh, and a ruckman has to be aggressive, I wasn't when I was younger but it's something I had to learn.
LeaMax: Hi Billy, what's it like playing and training alongside the great Ben Hudson? And what rucking knowledge has he passed on to you?
Billy Longer: Huddo's been a great mentor for me. We trade our fair share of competitive bumps and bruises throughout trainings which we learn to love. Trying to work around his physical strength has been a great experience.
Jess: Hey Billy, have you had many crazy groups of screaming girls chase after you yet? ;)
Billy Longer: Sadly not enough, but I'm open to the idea if you have some friends? Hahah!
Luke: So who do you live with now??
Billy Longer: Sam Docherty and his partner Natalie. Safe to say I'm the constant third wheel.
Sam: Hey Billy, Which team do you support in State of Origin, have you gotten into it even though you are from down in Victoria?
Billy Longer: To be honest, I've never watched a full game of rugby, but maybe I should start…
Daniel: Hey Billy, what's the best advice you've ever been given?
Billy Longer: Train how you want to play.
Rohan: Billy, who from the Reserves do you think is pushing hardest for selection in the seniors? I’m keen to see Bartlett in action. How is Jordan Lisle going? I would have thought he might get some games this year.
Billy Longer: Honestly, I wouldn't have the slightest idea what the selectors think. But I love the way Jordan Lisle and Bryce Retzlaff move and take charge up forward. Hopefully Bartlett and Sam Docherty have their chance too soon!
Laura: Hey Billy, did your mum teach you a signature dish to cook up before you left?
Billy Longer: The depth of my cooking skills go as far as: toasted ham & cheese sandwiches and the occasional 2 minute noodles if I'm feeling fancy
Bridie: Hey Billy, do you have a bestie at the club??
Billy Longer: I'd like to think everyone sees me as their BFF!
Daniel: Hi Billy. What is it like working with a Premiership Player (Charmo) as your coach?? Does he take it as seriously as he does Footy Fix??
Billy Longer: Charmo is a beaut! Every day is Footy Fix for Charmo!
Jess: Hi Billy, what do you get up to in your spare time?
Billy Longer: I love a computer game - I’m a nerd at heart
Rohan: Billy, is some of Charmo's aggression rubbing off on you? Hope so!
Billy Longer: YEAH! He has too much excitement for himself, so I gladly cop a majority of it..
Billy Goat: Hey Billy, are you a fan of the Adam Sander movie Billy Madison?
Billy Longer: A personal favorite of mine. Great movie
Elouera: What do you like most about playing for the Brisbane Lions?
Billy Longer: The culture and fans! Nothing better than running out onto the Gabba alongside my team-mates and with the crowd roar pushing you on.
LeaMax: Boxers or briefs ?? ;)
Billy Longer: Briefs man, if only you could have witnessed what I wore on our jocks parade last week in our "Man o Mania" player function haha
Elouera: Hi Billy, have you suffered from any major injuries?
Billy Longer: None thankfully, touch wood
Dave: Heya Billy. Do you ever get out on the golf course and have a slog with Richy and the boys?
Billy Longer: They don't let me play, supposedly I lose too many of their golf balls
Azz: Hey Billy, as you’re my new favourite player I've recently changed the number 7 on my back to the number 5, sorry Jed!
Billy Longer: Good on ya Azz!! I'll have to let Jed know he's been upgraded.
Jess: What is your favourite game?
Billy Longer: Chess
Scott: Hey Billy, are the boys all massive pranksters? I gather you'd all have a bit of free time. Have they pulled anything out on you yet?
Billy Longer: I've copped my fair share, I've been called by Ryan Lester more than once with his best "Michael Voss" voice on, safe to say I've never forgiven Lester since.
Thanks all! Sorry I couldn't answer all the questions, hopefully get another chance soon to come online. If you have any more questions follow me at @BillyLonger on Twitter!
Cheers and Go Lions!!!!!!
You can also CLICK HERE to view some of the recent live chat transcripts with Elliot Yeo, Mitch Golby, Jack Crisp Patrick Karnezis, Pearce Hanley, Jared Polec, Andrew Raines, Matt Maguire, Ben Hudson, Claye Beams, Ryan Lester, Josh Drummond, Jesse O'Brien, Simon Black, Matthew Leuenberger, Ash McGrath, Bryce Retzlaff, Aaron Cornelius, James Polkinghorne, Josh Green, Dayne Zorko and Brent Staker.