I just looked at the video of his "highlights" on the MFC website - I hope we get a better package of highlights about him later on - kicking two points out of two kicks from set shots doesn't seem to be highlights for me. I'm sure he is a much better player than what has been provided so far. On the other hand we could get all the other clubs who might bid to review it and they'll pass.

Have had a look at a few videos and they can't tell a full story.

Seems to have good pace and agility to get away. Turns out of trouble quickly. Quick from hand to foot. Very lively player.

On the down side, no left foot and has very little penetration with his kicking.

I could see him developing early as a run with player.

You can say what you like about the swans but they have absolutely nailed those picks. Common theme...strong bodied and hard working.

Development.

Worth noting that the highlights are from games played over at Simonds Stadium with a bit of a breeze up, so not sure if the package is a completely fair reflection of Billys kicking over distance. Certainly his mid-range kicking appeared to be very good in those games, and it generally seems like his kicking is seen as a strength.

True.

I was at those games at Simonds and there have been precious few windier days this winter just gone.

Have a look at 1997. Travis, Brad Otten, Croad, Bolton, Power, Tarrant, Cornes, O'Bree, Stevens, Simon Black, Adam Goodes, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Kellaway, Nathan Thompson and in the rookie draft you can add Chad Fletcher and Lockyer.

Not a bad list for one year.

Notwithstanding MFC horrific choices in that draft, 2008 AFL draft is shaping as a rich and rewarding draft from Nik Nat to Rockliff. There are 20 players who have already played 80-120 games and have established themselves as prominent and high grade players.

Add Hartlett, Hurley, Rich, Ziebell, Sidebottom, Shuey, Ballantyne, Zaharakis, Suban, Redden, Beams, Hanneberry, Shiels, Broadbent, Sloane.

And the only AFL level players we took in draft were Watts (pick 1) and Jetta (pick 51). A poor return overall.

Notwithstanding MFC horrific choices in that draft, 2008 AFL draft is shaping as a rich and rewarding draft from Nik Nat to Rockliff. There are 20 players who have already played 80-120 games and have established themselves as prominent and high grade players.

Add Hartlett, Hurley, Rich, Ziebell, Sidebottom, Shuey, Ballantyne, Zaharakis, Suban, Redden, Beams, Hanneberry, Shiels, Broadbent, Sloane.

And the only AFL level players we took in draft were Watts (pick 1) and Jetta (pick 51). A poor return overall.

Agreed. Boy, did we blow it.

And if our old friend Hannabal was still around, he would remind us of the numerous times he begged the club to consider a young prospect from Xavier College named Daniel Hanneberry at picks 17 or 19 and how all of his efforts fell on deaf ears.

This thread has taken a depressing turn

This thread has taken a depressing turn

Doesn't every single thread around here, after the last eight seasons of misery?!?

Add Hartlett, Hurley, Rich, Ziebell, Sidebottom, Shuey, Ballantyne, Zaharakis, Suban, Redden, Beams, Hanneberry, Shiels, Broadbent, Sloane.

And the only AFL level players we took in draft were Watts (pick 1) and Jetta (pick 51). A poor return overall.

You should add Blease, Strauss and Bennell. But it is still depressing.

BILLY STRETCH: WELCOME TO DEMONLAND

BILLY STRETCH: WELCOME TO DEMONLAND

I have it on good authority that the Saints plan on bidding pick one for him in an attempt to force us to use pick 2. Their recruiter is on record as saying he thinks the lure of the son of a club champion will be too much for us to resist.

Love him, his old man, life I just love the future, in the words of Bill Lawry 12th man, 'i wanna boof him bring him up 'ere'

And if our old friend Hannabal was still around, he would remind us of the numerous times he begged the club to consider a young prospect from Xavier College named Daniel Hanneberry at picks 17 or 19 and how all of his efforts fell on deaf ears.

A fair wealth of riches in that draft. We had many chances at getting it right that year. How disappointing.

Luke Dunstan, St Kilda

Who is your tip for next year's Rising Star?

"I'll go with Billy Stretch, once he gets drafted this year. Eli Templeton, as well. If I don't say him he'll crack it."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-afls-rising-stars-of-2014-answer-the-big-questions-20140904-10bwc4.html#ixzz3DBQU60Fb

Saints trying to sucker us into using a first round on Stretch would be pretty stupid, Roos has show he is not sentimental, every player can be traded for the right price, so Roos may just call their bluff so the saints may just end up with Billy. I would hope that if that unfortunate event did occur that we would continue try to woo billy back to the dees at sometime in the future.

I agree, if the saints want to pull that crap then they can take him at 1.

Don't think Roos is that silly though, I am sure he is on top of this.

Saints trying to sucker us into using a first round on Stretch would be pretty stupid, Roos has show he is not sentimental, every player can be traded for the right price, so Roos may just call their bluff so the saints may just end up with Billy. I would hope that if that unfortunate event did occur that we would continue try to woo billy back to the dees at sometime in the future.

That sort of thing is highly unlikely. There are many draft experts who believe that it would be line ball if another club nominated Stretch with a first round (or in St Kilda's case, their second) whether we would take Stretch with that pick. I think we probably would if forced to do so but it has to be remembered that this draft is considered to be deeper than last year's draft and if a club tried to pull a bluff, it could end up with massive egg on its face.

It's actually an absolutely ridiculous suggestion. Think about it, what would St. Kilda achieve by forcing us to take him with our 1st pick? One more player available for their 2nd pick. That's it. This draft is so even that it's not even worth considering it.

The reward does not represent the potential risk.

lol, sainters...flogs

Any club that behaves unrealistically in this process runs the risk of being treated likewise by the other clubs.

Such an attitude will backfire.

Any club that behaves unrealistically in this process runs the risk of being treated likewise by the other clubs.

Such an attitude will backfire.

Agreed. When the shoe is on the other foot, Saints will be absolutely bent over by other clubs if they start making unjustified F/S bids just to screw other teams. Seems a very short sighted approach.

I don't think anyone is expecting them to offer pick 1. But pick 19 is a very real possibility for SOS, meaning we'd have to use pick 20.

Either way , we will know in about three weeks.

And why would the saints want to nominate pick 1 for billy to get us to waste our 1st pick on him, while collingwood gets Moore? not sure what other father sons are in the draft, sorry does not compute.