Billy Stretch Appreciation Thread

[dazzledavey36 49,334]

If there was a big positive out of yesterday in a pretty dull full of sloppy errors its Billy Stretch.

Its ridiculous how clean, calm and poise he is under extreme pressure while other more experienced players crumble under the pressure.His gut running and spread is a highlight and shows the incredible workrate that he has.

We rave about Petracca Oliver and Brayshaw but Stretch should be talked amongst those guys as he is very underrated and goes about his business in a quite way.

Keep up the good work Billy!

[juzzk1d 1,354]

2 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

If there was a big positive out of yesterday in a pretty dull full of sloppy errors its Billy Stretch.

Its ridiculous how clean, calm and poise he is under extreme pressure while other more experienced players crumble under the pressure.His gut running and spread is a highlight and shows the incredible workrate that he has.

We rave about Petracca Oliver and Brayshaw but Stretch should be talked amongst those guys as he is very underrated and goes about his business in a quite way.

Keep up the good work Billy!

Stretch was fantastic yesterday. He really let himself down when he was streaming down on the wing and had 2 free players inside 50 and unfortunately kicked it out on the full. 

[faultydet 7,593]

2 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

If there was a big positive out of yesterday in a pretty dull full of sloppy errors its Billy Stretch.

Its ridiculous how clean, calm and poise he is under extreme pressure while other more experienced players crumble under the pressure.His gut running and spread is a highlight and shows the incredible workrate that he has.

We rave about Petracca Oliver and Brayshaw but Stretch should be talked amongst those guys as he is very underrated and goes about his business in a quite way.

Keep up the good work Billy!

He wasn't under the same pressure as the inside mids, but it's nice to see someone who can hit a target after getting the ball in space. Yes, I'm looking at you M.Jones.

 

I think Stretch will be one of our top 10 players once he matures.

[chook fowler 18,392]

Coming along very nicely. It will be great to have him in the side with Salem, as our distributors 

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

He was very good yesterday, but can't help but think if Grimes had the exact same game, all talk here would be about the out of bounds on the full in the forward 50 that cost us what should have been a simple goal.

 

also, a player of his skill, should not be hand balling after a mark to someone like Frost, who is an average kick

[stuie 7,374]

Gone under the radar this year as one of our most improved players.

We talk about run and spread and improving on skills, he's done both those things this year.

 

[Nasher 33,166]

20 minutes ago, faultydet said:

He wasn't under the same pressure as the inside mids, but it's nice to see someone who can hit a target after getting the ball in space. Yes, I'm looking at you M.Jones.

 

I think Stretch will be one of our top 10 players once he matures.

I think the fact that he is under less pressure is actually a feature of his game - he is able to get in to space when others can't.

Really pleased with his progress this year.

[Stretch Johnson 2,600]

4 minutes ago, Nasher said:

I think the fact that he is under less pressure is actually a feature of his game - he is able to get in to space when others can't.

Really pleased with his progress this year.

He has great agility, he can turn on a dime and find space.  He will become seriously good.

[DemonLad5 1,640]

I love this bloke. So composed and calm with the footy

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Great game, enjoying his footy atm.

[nutbean 8,837]

I don't write players off as quickly as some (ok...I'm guilty of not writing off players at all when I should !). In my mind I was not sure that Billy would make it - has some pace but not lightening and not tall so marking is not one of his features. I was trying to figure out his strong suite but was struggling. I have been pleasantly surprised with his progress. His strength is he can find space and does run to good spots and when he gets the ball he is very neat by hand and foot. He won't be a contested ball beast but he goes when he it is his turn to go. I am hoping his form will continue to improve as we have the inside grunt players  - we need some silk on the outside and Billy is providing that. 

[SPC 2,921]

He is our cleanest player, who looks like he has the hunger to get the best out of himself. He and Hunt will own the wings at the MCG for the next 10 years...

[Moonshadow 16,409]

Becoming really good on the outside with excellent run and spread. 

Also has a very neat side step to get out of trouble, similar to Nev Jetta.

[george_on_the_outer 7,061]

Billy is yet another remarkable example of the work of the development staff now at the club.

Like Wagner, Hunt and Oscar, they are not yet physically at the level required by AFL, but they are able to play as required.  In previous years he would have been thrown into the

seniors with hope for the best. 

Lots of upside still with Billy, and if he gets anywhere near the level of his old man then we will have another beauty!

[Demon Dynasty 15,960]

52 minutes ago, faultydet said:

He wasn't under the same pressure as the insdoesn'tids, but it's nice to see someone who can hit a target after getting the ball in space. Yes, I'm looking at you M.Jones.

 

I think Stretch will be one of our top 10 players once he matures.

He is already in our top 10 IMO ... has occasional brain/skill fade but who doesn't. Especially so new to the game. Great spread/ link player and quick thinker/mover of the air conveyance.

A very solid outside pick up who occasionaly goes in when needed as well.

[ArtificialWisdom 3,932]

8 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

He is already in our top 10 IMO ... has occasional brain/skill fade but who doesn't. Especially so new to the game. Great spread/ link player and quick thinker/mover of the air conveyance.

A very solid outside pick up who occasionaly goes in when needed as well.

Thats what I love, he is an outside player, but when its his turn to go hard he goes and not all outside players will do that. He is young and a little inconsistant but he has locked into our 22 and i dont expect to see him come out any time soon.

[Vagg 2,422]

Two of our three Father-Son lads are going very nicely at the moment.  And, from all reports, sounds like the third (young Smithy) is also showing some early signs of blossoming over time.  Nice to see!

[dl4e 5,648]

Stretch is seriously a good player. Think he will be as good as his old man and that is saying something.

[TRIGON 4,719]

Developing nicely, way ahead of the output levels I was expecting at this stage.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,588]

2 hours ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Thats what I love, he is an outside player, but when its his turn to go hard he goes and not all outside players will do that. He is young and a little inconsistant but he has locked into our 22 and i dont expect to see him come out any time soon.

I also like his attack on the ball and the man for a player of his size.  I think only thing he lacks to stay in our top 22 on a consistent basis is a mature hardened body.  I've noticed that he tends to string together a few really good games, then seems to tire for a few and loose his impact in games.  Not a criticism of his, as there are often just arn't shortcuts to reach the stage of physical development required at the elite level.

I liken his progress to that of Jack Viney and look forward to what another solid preseason might bring.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

[Mickey 4,197]

2 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I also like his attack on the ball and the man for a player of his size.  I think only thing he lacks to stay in our top 22 on a consistent basis is a mature hardened body.  I've noticed that he tends to string together a few really good games, then seems to tire for a few and loose his impact in games.  Not a criticism of his, as there are often just arn't shortcuts to reach the stage of physical development required at the elite level.

I liken his progress to that of Jack Viney and look forward to what another solid preseason might bring.

I agree. He seems to tackle quite well for his size. Can't wait to see what he can do in 2-3 years

[Ted Lasso 17,123]

Just does exactly what the coaches tell him to do, doesn't sook if he gets dropped just goes back, works on what he's told and it reflects in his game.

he's our Issac Smith

 

[ArtificialWisdom 3,932]

2 hours ago, Vagg said:

Two of our three Father-Son lads are going very nicely at the moment.  And, from all reports, sounds like the third (young Smithy) is also showing some early signs of blossoming over time.  Nice to see!

If we get regluar 22 players out of 2 our of 3 I would be ecstatic. Billy and Jack look like the ones, if we develop Smith into a player it would be just a bonus.

[Webber 10,181]

4 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Becoming really good on the outside with excellent run and spread. 

Also has a very neat side step to get out of trouble, similar to Nev Jetta.

His agility is his point of difference for me. Evades, sidesteps and wrong foots like nobody else in the team. A natural footballer from the moment he stepped on the scene, he's smart and clearly committed. Once he hits 50+ games, the extra polish and poise will only increase his core value. 

[Watts the matter 1,235]

33 minutes ago, Webber said:

His agility is his point of difference for me. Evades, sidesteps and wrong foots like nobody else in the team. A natural footballer from the moment he stepped on the scene, he's smart and clearly committed. Once he hits 50+ games, the extra polish and poise will only increase his core value. 

Interesting you say this, while he does evade quite well I would say his agility is poor for a player of his size. He seems to have a rather large turning circle and his evasive moves normally result in him going the wrong way. He is tracking nicely but this would be my main concern along with his slow ball drop at this stage.