2015 Player Review - # 15 Billy Stretch

[Demonland 73,218]

The lightly built outside runner with great balance and poise made a promising debut early in the season and is settling in well. Shows great ability to weave his way through congestion and if he can build himself up physically, will be set for a long career.

Games MFC 2015 11

Career Total 11

Goals MFC 2015 2

Career Total 2

Games CSFC 2015 5

Goals CSFC 2015 1

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 34 votes

[Webber 10,551]

He's not that lightly built, and doesn't need to build himself up other than will naturally occur with work and maturity. He's not a heavy player, he's never going to be, nor does he need to be. It's an ignorant and redundant criticism. He has football brains in abundance, and all the necessary traits to be a great long term player. Very competitive, very good decision maker, and excellent user. Very excited about Billy's future.

[dazzledavey36 55,391]

Went under the radar this year due to Hogan Brayshaw Salem which isn't a bad thing! I rate him very highly and I know for a fact the coaches rate him extremely highly aswell. He does everything what's asked of him and does the team things first.

He is a very very professional young man and I know his experience with Daniel Cross helped his development.

I already see him in our best 22 playing on a wing half back next year as he has great speed and poise and rarely misses targets. His run and dash will be very important for us in the future.

A future 200 gamer.

[Sir Why You Little 37,195]

Good start...

[poita 3,902]

He showed enough this year to suggest he can be a very good player. Clearly needs to go from 10 touches a game to 20 plus for this to happen, but there is plenty to work with.

[Deeoldfart 8,077]

After all the early previews about his light frame and not being 'AFL ready', I didn't expect him to debut this year. He did, and he surprised me greatly, in a very positive way. A very smart footballer with excellent ball use, traits which his old man had in spades. If 'Billy the Kid' can contribute to the MFC as well as Steve did, then he will be a ripper. Early indications (for me) are that he can do just that, or even better. A very strong part of our future!

[Nasher 33,617]

It's worth pointing out that he was the youngest player on our list this year and indeed one of the youngest in the AFL.

Is ahead of where I though he'd be. Really pleasing start. I reckon it's hard to see him not being a good player; he is already fit, skillful and mentally committed to playing a physical game when needed.

I also thought he was pretty well managed. He probably wouldn't have played as much as he did if we were a better side, but wasn't required to carry a disproportionate amount of work for his experience, and didn't end up part of the revolving door squad when he did go through some quiet form.

Definitely a positive for the year.

[bjDee 1,249]

Laying plenty of gifts at the feet of the hamstring gods for Billy - not that he has shown any signs, but someone that fast needs to have some insurance placed on his behalf. Don't want him to have the type of interruptions that other speedsters have suffered - Cyril, Kent, Salem etc. Love his attack on the ball.

[Tough Kent 2,137]

One of the few MFC players that I feel calm when he has the footy in hand. Will be a player.

[Tyson4Brownlow 154]

Billy has the goods. Leave him on a wing, he will be fine

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Just looks like a super coachable kid, does everything he's asked, loves to tackle and do the hard stuff but quick and skilled on the outside as well, I think he'll develop into a really good player for us.

Bit of red and blue in the veins never hurts either.

[monoccular 17,597]

Well done.

I had thought that he may be held back until 2016, but injuries (and poor performances) prevailed so he got his debut early...and didn't let us or himself down.

Looking forward to bigger things for a long time ahead.

GO DEES

[Adzman 2,154]

Billy is one of those young guys you can see coming in and locking down a spot in our 22 next year. He looks the goods, and could take a big leap next year.

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Good season, and got progressively better as the season went on, which is unusual for 1st year players.

Really love his skills. A real breath of fresh air when you see a Melbourne player actually hit targets consistently!

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

Players at Melbourne that fill me with confidence when they get the ball, in the sense that something good will happen and/or won't be turned over.

Nathan Jones

Jesse Hogan

Bernie Vince

Christian Salem

Angus Brayshaw

Billy Stretch

He's obviously not in the same class as the others, and will need to significantly increase his possession count if he wants to reach their level, but his decision making and poise belied his age and experience this year. Slotting a big time goal against Geelong in his second game was rather impressive too. I think he'll be a player.

[Fat Tony 5,290]

Billy looks a likely type but will need to develop into an elite runner to be a long-term AFL player. Hopefully he does because we need that type of player.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,511]

Echoing previous statements and must say I was very impressed. I wasn't expecting him to debut this year but he showed that he wasn't overawed by the experience at all.

The most pleasing aspect of his game was his passing. He would never bomb, lob or float a kick; but would instead lower his eyes and fire a kick low and fast. This is a forward's dream and a more than handy skill when attempting to move the ball through a zone or press.

[Young Blood 2,635]

Really liking how positive everyone is about this kid. Refreshing for this Forum.

Great disposal work, decision making and tackling. Played his role in each game with is what is being preached every second by the coaching staff.

Consistent effort was the main thing I liked from him. Along with Harmes, Brayshaw, ANB and hopefully Petracca, Billy will be part of a really compedetive young group for us.

He is also one I can see as a definite long term player along with Viney and Brayshaw. In it for the long haul.

People have talked about him being lightly build. But he has the perfect footballers frame with those long arms and broad shoulders. Will do some work on the weights over summer and be better for it. Don't doubt that he will improve his endurance running too.

Only way is up for Billy and very happy he is demon.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

Players at Melbourne that fill me with confidence when they get the ball, in the sense that something good will happen and/or won't be turned over.

Nathan Jones

Jesse Hogan

Bernie Vince

Christian Salem

Angus Brayshaw

Billy Stretch

.........er.

I agree with that list but I reckon you could add Jeffrey Garlett to it. Something good generally happens when he is has the ball (aside from set shots)

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

a tick from me. Became for composed and confident with the footy as the season went on.