Fantasy left field suggestion: I once wondered if a club with the right *resources* further down the track might secretively put a couple of their champions through to stud with some volunteers to create an advantage by producing F/S's and exploiting the system.

Silly I know. Probably the worst suggestion I've contemplated on here. *Guilty as charged*

You've been watching too many WWII nazi documentaries on SBS

You've been watching too many WWII nazi documentaries on SBS

Always looking for means to get the upper hand dc.

Project F/S: Doing 'it' for a flag...

Always looking for means to get the upper hand dc.

Project F/S: Doing 'it' for a flag...

Well watch The Boys from Brazil. Cloning would be far simpler, less messy and a better probability outcome

Shouldn't be long before SBS repeats it

Still by the time it comes to fruition in 20 years or so, genetic engineering will be all the rage in AFL and without the long lead time. Imagine if Robbo had a "stay-on-feet" gene transplant 10 years ago.

Well watch The Boys from Brazil. Cloning would be far simpler, less messy and a better probability outcome

Shouldn't be long before SBS repeats it

Still by the time it comes to fruition in 20 years or so, genetic engineering will be all the rage in AFL and without the long lead time. Imagine if Robbo had a "stay-on-feet" gene transplant 10 years ago.

"Britania Hospital" is another film that touches on the beginning of a master race. English Black comedy made in 1982. Well worth a look..Wow Boys from Brazil haven't seen that in so long. Gregory Peck in fine form.

thanks for posting the obvious

and btw they went past the boundaries of the day, it was just there wasn't the technology or umpires to catch them

a thug is a thug. Oh yeah, there was plenty more of them too

They didn't get picked just because they made their opponents worry. That was just an added extra.

They did whatever it took...sound familiar.

One could argue that tanking is pushing an advantage to it's limit.

Elephant in the room?

Or an irrelevant elephant that left 17 years ago?

An irrelephant?

Reading the second page of this thread you would have to ask what this thread is about. I hope Billy turns out OK and I hope he plays for us, I watched his father play many times and thought he was a very good player for Melbourne. It really p155es me off when someone brings in to question the courage of an AFL footballer.

Speaking of Greg Healy's youngster, I see a bit of Greg around Brighton and it amazes me how small he is compared to the players of today.

They didn't get picked just because they made their opponents worry. That was just an added extra.

They did whatever it took...sound familiar.

One could argue that tanking is pushing an advantage to it's limit.

Well, tanking is not something one should brag about (though some will)

Even disguised as list-management, tanking is still tanking

Anyway, lets not bring up skeletons in the closet, please

Back OT. I'm a great believer in good sportsmanship. I know its old-fashioned and out-dated but that doesn't bother me. Thats why I think Dipper and Matthews thuggishness (at times) behaviour has tainted otherwise excellent careers. And correct, I don't believe in "whatever it takes" if it involves encouraging thugs

I don't expect to win this argument

Well, tanking is not something one should brag about (though some will)

Even disguised as list-management, tanking is still tanking

Anyway, lets not bring up skeletons in the closet, please

Back OT. I'm a great believer in good sportsmanship. I know its old-fashioned and out-dated but that doesn't bother me. Thats why I think Dipper and Matthews thuggishness (at times) behaviour has tainted otherwise excellent careers. And correct, I don't believe in "whatever it takes" if it involves encouraging thugs

I don't expect to win this argument

Daisycutter you may not win the argument but I wholeheartedly support your views on sportsmanship.

That said, I was a big fan of Rod Grinter and Mark Jackson so that probably makes me a hypocrite!

Daisycutter you may not win the argument but I wholeheartedly support your views on sportsmanship.

That said, I was a big fan of Rod Grinter and Mark Jackson so that probably makes me a hypocrite!

Thanks, I think Grints would agree he was a thug AT TIMES, but one is always more protective of their own. Still it serves no purpose to deny history. It was what it was. I think we had this discussion about Grints not so long ago.

I liked him for all the good things he did and his undoubted courage

P.S. I also liked Dipper and Matthews for all the good football they showed too

We are specifically talking about him shirking one contest against Dipper in the 1988 GF. Alan Stoneham would have wished he did the same at Windy Hill where Dipper smashed his face in a disgraceful hit. Robbie Flower may have also wished he did the same in the 1987 Preliminary Final, when Dipper dislocated his shoulder, putting him out of the game and probably costing us the match and a Grand Final. If we had played in the 87 GF and lost, we would have been a better and harder side the next year and who knows.

Yep. I remember Flower saying as much afterwards. There's brave and there's smart, and letting yourself be taken out by a deliberate hit from a thug in an uneven contest is neither.

In my younger days, I did a bit of Tae Kwon Do (badly!), and one day, we had a visit from a "master". One of us asked him "what would you do if you met two big men in an alley", to which he replied "run".

Stretch remains one of my all-time favourite Melbourne players, and I was never happier than when the ball was in his hands - which, thankfully, was often. A great champion of and for the club.

Yep. I remember Flower saying as much afterwards. There's brave and there's smart, and letting yourself be taken out by a deliberate hit from a thug in an uneven contest is neither.

In my younger days, I did a bit of Tae Kwon Do (badly!), and one day, we had a visit from a "master". One of us asked him "what would you do if you met two big men in an alley", to which he replied "run".

Stretch remains one of my all-time favourite Melbourne players, and I was never happier than when the ball was in his hands - which, thankfully, was often. A great champion of and for the club.

my best memory of SS is of him running flat out in a straight line through the centre or down a wing and then letting a bullet kick go without losing stride, both steven and Danny Hughes could kick a football so far...

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

There is a longer article with picture (in Demon's jumper!) here

Looks very young!!

Stretcher was one of my favourite Dees players when I first caught the bug in the late 80's. Had an immaculate kicking action on the run (on both feet) and I remember one particular goal he banged through from 50 against the Pies had the MFC faithful in raptures.

Unlike some from that era, he'd be a very valuable player today with his skill set.

There is a longer article with picture (in Demon's jumper!) here

Looks very young!!

Looks ready to go now, he's already Robbie Flowers size today. Strap him in & lets go. forward pocket to start.

Not exactly sure what I was expecting... but he looks like a child.

Ridiculous amount of water to go under the bridge...

Of course there are varying degrees of courage amongst players but even to run down the race to play our game at the highest level requires more nerve than i suspect most of their critics have ! Every player must always have at the back of his mind that inevitably that "hospital" pass will bring a shirtfont demolition. We have all seen Brad Green back into packs courageously dozens of time but it is amazing how many opposition supporters presume "pretty boys" are weak!

Demons to stretch for Billy the kid

Son of Melbourne Demons legend Steven Stretch on club's radar at just fourteen years old

Stretch Jr already appears to have his career mapped out.

Former Demons player Des O'Dwyer, who coached Billy at under-age level, describes him as one of the most driven young sportsmen he has seen.

Similar description as the one applied by many to Jack Viney. Seems that Adelaide could prove to be a gold mine for the Demons in future years.

He doesn't bear much resemblance to the old man it must be said.

He looks like a 12yo version of Tim Cahill!

Dad's fixtures but mum's features !

IF he keeps progressing and gets drafted (by us)

He may have timed his run just right.

One B.Green would be about right to retire, leaving the No18

vacant. He gets his favourite number to wear.

Not exactly sure what I was expecting... but he looks like a child.

Ridiculous amount of water to go under the bridge...

I could just put him in my pocket!

Definitely looks like a young Tim Cahill though

Oh man. That kid hasn't hit puberty yet, surely. We ARE getting very ridiculous with our recruiting these days. Oh for the NFL system where you don't get a player before 21, and when you do, you know THAT much more about them.

He doesn't bear much resemblance to the old man it must be said.

Was thinking the same myself. He must throw to the dam.

Was thinking the same myself. He must throw to the dam.

In racing terms definately seems to have been broken in- just needs developing.Whilst looks are very important the main thing seems he can run and play.That is the main aspect..along with the breed of course.