WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - BILLY STRETCH

[e25 5]

The second half of this story:

AFTER snatching star South Australian schoolboy Jack Viney from under the nose of Adelaide as a father-son selection, Melbourne is eyeing another teenage Croweater.

Billy Stretch, 14, is still four years away from being able to play AFL football, but that has not stopped the Demons from tagging him as a future father-son pick.

Like Viney, Stretch is the son of a Melbourne gun. His father Steven played 164 games and kicked 71 goals for the club from 1986-93, and was a long-time teammate of Jack's father Todd.

"We're certainly keeping tabs on Billy," Demons recruiting manager Barry Prendergast told the Adelaide Advertiser.

"We keep an eye on all the sons of our former players, and once they start to become good players in their age group, then we track them very closely.

"Billy's in that category now, so he's on our radar. He has a lot of ability, but we understand that there's a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and us drafting him.

"Hopefully in a few years, we are in a position to sign him, just as we did with Jack."

Stretch has acted as a mascot for the team when it has played at AAMI Stadium.

"They're my favourite team," the Year 8 Immanuel College student said.

"Because dad played there, I've loved them since I was a little kid."

[biggestred 5,088]

sweet. although at 14 there is a LOT of water...

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

Stretcher!!! I hope he can kick as well as his Dad, Steven was a magnificent kick on the run.... B)

[H_T 3,047]

sweet. although at 14 there is a LOT of water...

And one big radar....

[darkhorse72 1,917]

The FD is certainly on the ball. Also talking to future fathers sons I hope they also sit down and help with their development even in its the odd clinic of mentoring type of scheme. For example, it would be great to see young Viney for example down the club having a run with the boys from time to time. - not sure if its allowed under the rules? So they hit the crowd running.

[e25 5]

I'm not 100% on this, but isn't there also talk that Greg Healy's son is meant to be better than Jack Viney, just younger?

I remember something being mentioned on the China Trip.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,053]

Awesome. I've been wondering about Stretch Junior.

Now all we need is news on the Lyon kids.

[JJJ 1,285]

I wonder if he can "run like a gazelle" like his father?

[rpfc 28,433]

What about the elephant in the room?? I hope he has more heart than his old man. Good player but very very very soft. Embarrassingly soft.

Well said.

Who needs to talk glowingly of a 14 year old when you can bash his father 17 years after he left the game.

Elephant in the room?

Or an irrelevant elephant that left 17 years ago?

As Luke Skywalker can attest - you're not your father.

[kryton 0]

Have always loved the father - son rule, not just because of Viney and mini-stretcha and Chris Johnno notwithstanding.

Though it seems a strange article in which to include this story??

Nice news though, hope it pans out for the kid.

[13thflag 0]

Good luck to the young lad, i hope he does get to play for our great club. Loved his dad when he played for us.

[Rocknroll 1,004]

And he could take a great hanger!!!

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

brilliant!

[Theo 272]

I'm not 100% on this, but isn't there also talk that Greg Healy's son is meant to be better than Jack Viney, just younger?

I remember something being mentioned on the China Trip.

Correct. A former player told me in China that Greg Healey's son is likely to be the best father/son of all.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Can we let them navigate puberty before we stake claims on them being the best f/s ever etc.

[e25 5]

Probably a wise decision, but that one came from the mouths of ex-players!

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

What about the elephant in the room?? I hope he has more heart than his old man. Good player but very very very soft. Embarrassingly soft.

Bull s#&t!!. "Embarrassingly soft" players don't win Blueys and play close to 200 games of VFL / AFL football. Stretcher was an 'outside player' in today's terms, lightly framed body, with great pace and excellent skills. If Billy plays for the Dees and contributes as well as his old man, I'm sure we will all be very pleased.

[H_T 3,047]

What about the elephant in the room?? I hope he has more heart than his old man. Good player but very very very soft. Embarrassingly soft.

Poor description opinion. You've failed to recognise or acknowledge any of SS's positive attributes. So let's reflect: Played up to 200 odd games and represented his state SA numerous times doesn't equate to your poor description. He may not have been a "hard at it" player in the mould of a Viney (not many were) but as DeeOldFart stated a terrific outside player with pace, skill and could handle contesting in the air - evident by some memorable marks. Plenty of BOG's to boot. Despite a tendency to avoid physical contact on the odd occassion.

[Red Sox 2]

Probably didn't need to be said. But I can't say it is exactly BS if I was watching the same SS.

[H_T 3,047]

Probably didn't need to be said. But I can't say it is exactly BS if I was watching the same SS.

I didn't exactly say it was BS.

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

Poor description opinion. You've failed to recognise or acknowledge any of SS's positive attributes. So let's reflect: Played up to 200 odd games and represented his state SA numerous times doesn't equate to your poor description. He may not have been a "hard at it" player in the mould of a Viney (not many were) but as DeeOldFart stated a terrific outside player with pace, skill and could handle contesting in the air - evident by some memorable marks. Plenty of BOG's to boot. Despite a tendency to avoid physical contact on the odd occassion.

It is just memories of "that incident" during the '88 GF....sadly we all saw it as did the commentators-But i still enjooyed watching the Stretchers career.

[JJJ 1,285]

It is just memories of "that incident" during the '88 GF....sadly we all saw it as did the commentators-But i still enjooyed watching the Stretchers career.

I agree. I can remember running around the backyard pretending to be Stretcher. I would take a specky, play on and take a couple of bounces before smashing the ball into the back fence (goals).

He was a good player and should be remembered as such.

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

It is just memories of "that incident" during the '88 GF....sadly we all saw it as did the commentators-But i still enjooyed watching the Stretchers career.

Exactly wyl! We have all seen the odd similar 'incident' from current Melbourne players (no need to mention names), but I hope that they are not branded as 'soft' throughout their careers and beyond, because of one fleeting moment in the heat of battle.

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

Exactly wyl! We have all seen the odd similar 'incident' from current Melbourne players (no need to mention names), but I hope that they are not branded as 'soft' throughout their careers and beyond, because of one fleeting moment in the heat of battle.

It is sad though, i still have Hawthorn "mates" remind me of that one reasnoably often...What can you say???

[Red Sox 2]

I didn't exactly say it was BS.

Nah, was responding above you at the same time HT. Your memories of SS I share also, but he is one that made us wince at times.