SATURDAY’S game against Gold Coast was Billy Wilson’s first in Navy Blue in front of a home crowd - but fortunately, he had some mates to lean on.

Back in the team for his second career game, Wilson was one of the seven players the Blues fielded with less than 25 games of experience in the Round 22 clash.

Among those alongside Wilson were Ashton Moir and Matthew Carroll - the two players drafted with him in 2023 - as well as Cooper Lord, who was the mid-season recruit just six months later.

Being able to lean on that youthful group was a big help for Wilson, who went at 100 per cent efficiency from his nine disposals in the 19-point loss.

Speaking post-match, Wilson - despite still looking for his first senior win - described the opportunity and experience as “good fun”.

“It was really exciting and the fans got up and about. When we’re playing like that [to close out the game], that’s when we’re great,” Wilson said.

“My whole draft class was out there. To be around ‘Lordy’, Ash - me and Ash have been talking about it all week - and Matty Carroll, it was great to be out there with them.

“We’re all learning and all on the same page, getting better every day.”

Wilson lives with Moir as well as the Camporeale twins and Harry Charleson, meaning the enthusiasm that surrounds their football never subsides.

He’s hoping that energy can continue in the final fortnight of the season.

“It was good to see the boys smiling, I was definitely smiling out there - even ‘Weiters’ was. It brought good energy, I loved it.

“Living with the five of us, there’s so much footy banter - we’re building a good culture and having other boys over for dinner.”

Wilson’s first year was disrupted by a niggling knee injury, but consistency has been his main focus throughout the course of the year, collecting 20 disposals or more in his last 10 consecutive VFL games.

And with a great support network behind him - led by No.1 fan, his dad Aaron - he just wants to keep building.

“I’ve tried to stay consistent at VFL level this year and play my role as well as I can. I’m definitely still learning and there’s a lot more learning to go, but it’s been fun,.

“I had a good bunch of family and mates come down [on Saturday night]. Dad loves it too much… way too much. No, it’s good support - I love my family.”